Ireland/ 7. Public institutions in cultural infrastructure  

7.1 Cultural infrastructure: tendencies & strategies

Up to recently, the main change since 2002 had been in respect of international arts, now overseen by Culture Ireland (created in 2005) (see chapter 3.4.1). See chapter 4.1 for a discussion on recent and impending changes. In respect of the move towards centralisation already noted, it is worth commenting that the main reason for such a move has been adduced as being economic.  In the case of the National Library, this is hardly sustainable since the independent board, appointed under the 1997 Cultural Institutions Act has already waived fees. Equally, the National Library has demonstrably shown full willingness to engage with other bodies – the National Archives, The Manuscripts Commission and the National Museum) in any cost saving initiatives put forward by government. The Chairman of the National Museum has also protested at the impending changes, describing the Department's move as a "power grab" and saying that the museum was being "cannibalised by barbarians" (Sunday Times, 4 November 2012).

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