The Director of the Arts Council, Ms Patricia Quinn has resigned following the announcement from the Council yesterday that it intends to set aside its five-year strategy, the Arts Plan 2002-2006.
In her letter of resignation, she said: "I fully support the authority of the Council in decision-making. However, in circumstances where the Council's precipitate action overturns Government policy and is contrary to the considered advice of its executive, I am in honour obliged to give notice of my decision to resign my position as Director."
Ms Quinn was appointed to the position of Director in November 1996. During her time as the Council's CEO, funding for the arts has increased by 125 per cent and the organisation has been radically restructured and enlarged.
"I have been privileged to work with some remarkable people in my time as Director of the Arts Council, and have made many enduring friendships. In its staff, the Council and the public are fortunate to be
served by an exceptional group of people. I wish the Council every success in working with them going forward," she said today.
Responding to the announcement, the chairwoman of the Council, Ms Olive Braiden said she acknowledged "the genuine strength of opinion that has prompted Patricia's decision and while we very much regret her decision to leave, we fully respect her commitment to the arts and to her own policy positions."
"Patricia Quinn," the statement continues, "has been a strong leader of the executive of the Arts Council for eight years and she has led the executive through a period of expansion and development. The Council, and I as Chair, want to take this opportunity to thank Patricia for her work and to wish her every success and happiness in the future".