The Mediation Bill has been floating around for some time. This important Bill has wide implications, beyond those implied in its title. When is it likely to come before the House and have the heads of the Bill been cleared?

Two national cultural institutions Bills, covering the area of administration, are expected. The first of these proposes to revise and upgrade the governance arrangements in regard to the National Gallery, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork, including the sharing of services. The second Bill proposes to revise and update the governance arrangements in regard to the National Library of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland and the National Archives of Ireland, including sharing of services. Both of these Bills are important and have wide implications for the administration of our cultural institutions. Have they been discussed in Cabinet and are they approved and ready to come before the House?

The heads of the Mediation Bill were cleared in 2012 and it is expected it will be published in the second half of this year. The national cultural institutions Bill is also expected to be published in the second half of the year.