Voices from the world of Irish arts on Ms Patricia Quinn's resignation as director of the Arts Council.
Michael Colgan, director of the Gate Theatre
It's well-known that Patricia and I wouldn't have seen eye to eye in her tenure with the Arts Council. But I admire her integrity for sticking with that Arts Plan. Having said that, I'm not upset to see the back of it. There were times when Patricia or previous councils sailed very close to the wind in bringing a development agency towards artistic interference. A lot of people in my position, funded through the Arts Council, were finding it very bureaucratic.
Tania Banotti, chief executive of Theatre Forum
Theatre Forum is very surprised. The resignation comes as a complete surprise. You could say that we are shocked at the news.
Sheila Pratschke, director of the Tyrone Guthrie Centre
The person at the top of an organisation, by whatever strange process, does create the culture of a place, whether it's a school or an arts council. There has been a period during which the emphasis has been on feasibility studies, reports, and plans. My own feeling is that there is enough of this. I hope the focus now will get stronger on artists. Maybe what we all need to think about now is keeping our passion going - to be passionate as well as logical about the arts.
Fergus Linehan, director of the Dublin Theatre Festival
If it is her feeling that she needs to stand by her plan, then it's an honourable decision. If she felt her priorities had been set aside, then I can see why she would resign. It is difficult to read, though; it seems like there is only a fraction of the story in the statement. Does this herald in a completely new era?
Gerry Godley, director of the Improvised Music Company
Given that the Arts Plan was pivotal to Patricia Quinn's vision ... it was perhaps inevitable that, once the plan itself became untenable, her authorship and commitment to the document would precipitate her decision to resign. While her tenure has been tempestuous, provoking criticism from client organisations especially around issues of communication, she nonetheless won significant concessions for the sector in what's been a volatile environment.
Rose Parkinson, director of the Galway Arts Festival
An awful lot of arts organisations were not happy with the Arts Plan as it stood. It wasn't really workable, particularly the development plans. The fact that the new council has seen that it doesn't work is a very positive decision on their part, and I back it. It's sad for Patricia that she has to go, but I suppose it was inevitable.
Pat Murphy, director of the RHA Gallagher Gallery
Patricia was very committed to planning for arts organisations. Everyone in the arts world knew that a new council was coming on board within 18 months of the new Arts Plan. Everyone was happy with the mix of the new council. When policies change, executives have to change, and things change in line with new governance, so in that respect, the news is unsurprising.
Rosita Boland