Madam, - I am writing to clarify a number of issues raised in your extensive coverage of the Hunt Museum over the past 10 days. On Saturday, February 14th, Arthur Beesley, Political Reporter, quoted Erin Gibbons as saying: "The museum is funded by the public purse and some of the collection it holds was acquired by the State".
The museum receives public money through the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, which accounts for approximately a third of our annual operating costs. In 2003 the museum received €250,000 from the Department. It is our responsibility to raise the other two-thirds of the operating costs. We work very hard to do this and it is insulting to our efforts flippantly to assume that the museum has a direct line of income from one source.
Secondly, the Hunt Collection is legally vested in the Hunt Museums Trust, with the exception of a few items on loan from private individuals. None of the collection was acquired by the State, as stated by Ms Gibbons.
Thirdly, Ms Gibbons questions the objectivity of the review group being established by the museum in response to the request by John O'Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to investigate the allegations being made by the Wiesenthal Centre. In a press statement issued last Friday, I stated the review group "will present a completed report to the Hunt Museums Trust and Hunt Museums Ltd as quickly as possible after its establishment. The completed report will be referred to Mr John O'Donoghue, TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism". The group will work independently of the museum and its completed report will be simultaneously presented to both legal entities involved in running the museum as well as the Minister. I also said it was the board's intention to approach this issue in a spirit of co-operation and professionalism. It is regrettable that these values have not been mirrored by Ms Gibbons.
Finally, the process of investigating the allegations made by the Wiesenthal Centre on which the Hunt Museum is now embarking follows best international museum practice as outlined in various international declarations, including the UNESCO-endorsed International Council of Museums code of ethics. We will respond to the allegations made by the Wiesenthal Centre, which it must be said are not specific or based on any substantive source, with the support of John and Trudy Hunt.
It must be clearly articulated that behind this issue is a collection of international significance and a truly remarkable family. John and Gertrude Hunt and their children John and Trudy Hunt are people of incredible vision and generosity. Their gifts have ensured that audiences in Ireland and abroad have access to an internationally acclaimed collection of antiquities and fine and decorative art.
For this we, as a people, must be grateful. It is rare for a country like ours to experience such extraordinary public-spirited generosity. The collection was assembled and presented to the Irish people in good faith and with good will.
The honour which this collection confers on Ireland is very great. However, the manner in which this current situation is being conducted through the media has been nothing short of dishonourable. It has been hurtful to John and Trudy Hunt, insulting to the memory of their parents and very damaging to Ireland's reputation internationally. - Yours, etc.,
VIRGINIA TEEHAN, Director, The Hunt Museum, Limerick.