Sir, - Apropos Helen Cuddihy's letter (November 18th) relating to the Cultural Institutions Bill 1996 currently before Seanad Eireann: it is true that when published, Section 13 of the Bill was open to misinterpretation and did create the impression that the Chief Herald and the continuance of the Genealogical Office was in some doubt.
However, following wide consultation and a series of meetings with officials from the Department of Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht, I succeeded in having the wording of the offending section dropped in favour of a new section which not only confirms, but enhances in law, the position of Chief Herald and the Genealogical Office for the first time. The Genealogical Office will continue to function as heretofore and will be enshrined in statute law as a branch of the National Library, responsible to the Director who in turn will be responsible to the board.
It is not true to say that the Board of the National Library to be constituted after the passage of the Bill through the Senate and Dail will be an unacceptable charge on the public purse. All those working in the National Library and National Museum and those professionals who need access the services provided by both institutions, have welcomed the broad thrust of the Bill.
I agree with Ms Cuddihy that the creation of two new semi State boards, the composition of which will be in the gift of the Minister of the day, may not be totally acceptable but that is a debate for another day. However, in the course of the Senate debate I placed a number of Amendments to Section 19 of the Bill, which relates to membership of boards. These amendments, which have been accepted by the Minister, broaden the criteria to be used by the Minister of the day in appointing members to the boards. This includes a knowledge of genealogy and sales and marketing.
As Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht in Seanad Eireann, I have also succeeded in having several other amendments accepted by the Minister, Mr Higgins, which considerably strengthen the Bill. There still remain some key differences between us, especially a section which will allow the newly constituted Boards of the National Library, National Museum and the National Gallery to introduce an admission charge. Fianna Fail is opposed to this measure.
I am grateful to all those individuals, genealogists, researchers and other interested parties for their valuable input into the Senate debate. In view of the important public debate which this legislation has generated among those working and using important national cultural institutions, I am disappointed that reportage of the various stages of the Bill's passage through Seanad Eireann has been largely ignored, both by the electronic and printed media. This omission has resulted in citizens such as Helen Cuddihy, with an obvious interest in the future of these institutions, failing to be kept correctly informed of the changes in legislative proposals as they progressed through the Upper House debates. - Yours, etc.,
Fianna Fail Spokesperson in
Seanad Eireann on Arts,
Culture and the Gaeltacht, Dublin 2.