THE AMBIGUITIES that appear to have arisen with the appointment of a second minister with a role in the arts need to be resolved with clarity and alacrity. The lines of responsibility and accountability need to be made known, leaving no doubts in the minds of those in the Arts Council, the national cultural institutions and the arts sector in general as to the precise function of each minister.
If the old adage that "two heads are better than one" has any substance to it, the arts could gain from having the talents and intellects of both Martin Cullen and Martin Mansergh working on their behalf, especially in a department that also has to cater for the promotion and development of tourism and sport.
The foremost challenge facing both of them in a changing economic climate is not only to maintain the momentum of recent years but to build on it, particularly in terms of adequate funding for the making of art and fulfilment of the ambitious cultural infrastructure plans for a new concert hall and national theatre. Renewed consideration of the theatre's location deserves a place on the agenda of the new ministers. The recently unveiled proposal for the Carlton site on O'Connell Street in Dublin illustrates the necessity for a landmark cultural component to counterbalance the commercial overload of the plan for this key location.
Strong and persuasive argument will be necessary when it comes to making the case for further funding increases for the arts, so perhaps Dr Mansergh's presence and position within the Department of Finance could be advantageous in that regard.
Mr Cullen's promise that he and his new junior minister "will be to the fore in defining and encouraging and increasing and enhancing the budgets" certainly augurs well for a harmonious relationship and concerted effort.
There is one very serious matter where Dr Mansergh, with his new role straddling both the Department of Arts and the OPW, might well be the man to achieve a definitive and urgently-required solution: the shameful and potentially detrimental conditions under which our national archives are being held in storage, already raised with appropriate alarm in the Dáil last week.
This, as it relates to both the National Library, Museum and Archives, is a cause for real concern; the provision of modern facilities to house the treasure trove of archival material that forms the backbone to 700 years of our heritage has to be a priority. Nothing less will suffice.