National cultural institutions Bills
After a brief procedural exchange about an absent Deputy, Seán Ó Fearghaíl asks about Bills concerning museums, archives and galleries. The Taoiseach says the museums and archives heads are not approved, while the galleries Bill is being drafted.
The Government has promised to introduce major items of administrative legislation in the area of the arts and heritage, namely, the national cultural institutions (museums and archives) Bill which will deal with the National Library, the National Museum and the National Archives and the national cultural institutions (galleries) Bill which will give effect to the policy changes the Government proposes to bring forward in respect of the abandonment of the arm's-length principle. Has the Cabinet considered the heads of these two important items of legislation? When will the Bills be published and is there any co-ordination in respect of their introduction?
Comment on this
The heads of the national cultural institutions (museums and archives) Bill have not yet been approved by the Government. The heads of the national cultural institutions (galleries) Bill were cleared in July and work is proceeding in drafting the legislation. Obviously, there is a degree of connection and co-operation on these Bills. I will ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide the Deputy with an update on the position.