The government has initiated an external review of the Arts Council following the revelation that nearly £7 million was expended on an abandoned IT system, confirmed by Arts Minister Patrick O'Donovan. Spokespeople for Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris indicated that neither of them were informed about the issue prior to its disclosure. An inquiry exposed a lack of expertise within the Arts Council board to evaluate IT expenditures and its failure to secure appropriate project approvals. Minister O'Donovan is anticipated to soon announce a comprehensive external review of the Arts Council's governance and operations.