Vol. 513 No. 3
79 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress, if any, made in regard to securing additional opening hours for the National Museum and particularly ensuring that it is open on bank holiday Mondays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2327/00]
As the Minister indicated in her reply to Question No. 18 on 7 October 1999, the question of extended public opening hours in the National Museum of Ireland, including opening on bank holiday Mondays, is under active consideration by museum management.
The National Museum favours the extension of public opening hours and particularly opening on bank holiday Mondays. However, the extension of public opening hours has major financial and staffing implications which require careful consideration. I understand that museum management are currently finalising proposals on extended public opening hours with a view to discussing them with the relevant staff interests.
Is it not regrettable that while this country is awash with money the National Museum or the Natural History Museum do not open on Mondays and bank holidays to cater for the many families that travel from the country to Dublin?
The primary function of the museums is educational. Every effort must be made to make the National Museum available to young people. Will the Minister of State indicate if his senior Minister and the Minister for Finance look favourably on the extension of the opening hours of the National Museum?
The Minister is disposed, as I am, to the extension of opening hours. That is the fundamental position. It is unfortunate this did not happen under previous Administrations. We are where we are, not where we would like to be, in terms of progress on this matter. The Deputy will agree that money is only one element of this and consultation with staff which includes attendants, cleaners, educational assistants, guides and restaurant staff is important. It is important that now the Minister is favourably disposed to the extension of opening hours, procedures will be followed as rapidly as possible but that no short cuts will be taken which might cause difficulties. I know the Deputy would emphasise the need for staff consultation and agreement before opening hours are extended.
There have been some good developments in the National Museum. Recently, a fantastic exhibition was jointly opened by the Minister, Deputy de Valera and the Minister, Mr. Michael McGimpsey. It was a great occasion. New events are taking place. We are looking forward to the opening of Turlough House, which will be of great interest to Deputy Kenny.
The Minister of State will get a good reception.
We hope to open it this year. It will be a further facility for the public and its opening will be a red letter day for the west.
I compliment the director of the National Museum, Dr. Wallace, on the manner in which he conducts his business. Does the Minister of State believe the National Museum should be open on bank holidays and on public holidays for our student population and visitors from abroad? Is there a definite date for when this will happen? I am sure the National Museum is on the Internet site. Does the Minister know the number of "hits" it has had in the past 12 months?
I said the Minister favours the extension of public opening hours, particularly on bank holiday Mondays. I also favour this. Proposals are being finalised by museum management, which is the appropriate procedure. Subject to coming to suitable financial and personnel arrangements, the answer to the Deputy's question is "yes". The Internet is not covered in the brief, but we will get the Deputy all the details as soon as we can.
The Minister of State can e-mail them to me.
He will have to look hard to find some of them.
The Minister has outlined the difficulties and the reasons nothing is happening at the moment. He indicated that something will happen this year – how strong is that hope and can we look forward with confidence to the National Museum being open on bank holidays, at least, to the population of this country and tourists?
I said we are looking forward to the opening of Turlough House this year. I did not make any commitment as regards general opening hours. Procedures must be followed. It is wrong for politicians to make announcements of this type until matters are finalised. This issue will be examined as favourably and as quickly as possible. I do not want to give a time limit because that tends to cause problems, as we have seen in other spheres.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
