I am glad to hear that there will be one board for the entire complex in Kilmainham when the period of the present board expires. That is the only reasonable way in which activities can be conducted there on a satisfactory basis. Will that board have a statutory base with the independence and the rights that the National Gallery have and will they get permanent funding as distinct from the lottery funding, however great that might be, because that is an unsatisfactory way in which to fund a permanent structure such as the National Gallery of Modern Art?

In the initial stages, it will be funded by the national lottery because that is the way in which we can give it access to reasonably substantial funds. In the initial stages I suppose the funds will be devoted to acquisitions so that a central core of works can be built up. Thereafter, I suppose we can consider funding it directly from the Exchequer. The same would apply to giving the company a statutory basis. The company an at present incorporated under the Companies Acts and that has worked satisfactorily. We should see how that system works with regard to the new gallery. If there is a need then to put it on a statutory basis that can be considered. For the time being, the company system is working well with regard to the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, generally. They have a very considerable programme of events and run it satisfactorily. I am, not inclined to make any changes at present. I would like to have the present company get the new gallery under way, appoint a curatory and see how things go and, if necessary we can look at it again in a few years time.