Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way he intends to maintain the autonomy of each of the national cultural institutions in the proposed reorganisation of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21687/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As Deputy will be aware, the Government announced its Public Service Reform Plan on 27 November 2011. Appendix IIA to that Plan sets out a number of bodies to be rationalised, amalgamated or abolished in 2012. Actions in respect of my own Departmental remit include the following:

· Combine the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Crawford Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Ireland, while retaining separate identities.

· Merge the National Archives and the Irish Manuscripts Commission into the National Library, while maintaining separate identities.

Clearly, the amalgamation and merger of these bodies raises complex issues, which my Department is currently examining. In that context, the views of the various interested parties are being noted and considered. The artistic and curatorial autonomy of each of the institutions is, of course, a major consideration in this regard. My Departmental has established a high-level Reform Committee and is liaising with the various bodies with a view to implementing the Government's Decision in these matters as effectively and efficiently as possible. I expect to be reverting to Government on progress made in relation to this process by end-June of this year.