Ms. Kennelly completed her role on June 13. She expressed disappointment two weeks prior at not receiving a second five-year term. The Arts Council faced scrutiny for an abandoned IT project costing €6.7 million. Minister O'Donovan, informed of the issue shortly after assuming office, indicated that it has dominated his agenda. He vowed not to punish the arts community despite the waste of public funds. O'Donovan stated his intention to ensure better governance and management of the Arts Council in light of the situation.
"Pretty much every day since then has been dominated by this," he said, adding that he is not going to "punish artists or the artistic community" for "a total waste of public money."
Mr O'Donovan said he has "no intention of going after the money that goes into the Arts Council. But I am going to make sure that the systems, governance, oversight, management and operation of it are transformed into a fit-for-purpose entity."
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