asked the Minister for Education, if he is aware that many valuable art treasures are being exported annually; and if he will review the present inadequate regulations whereby such treasures are capable of being exported before the National Art Gallery, National Museum, etc., have an opportunity of making an offer for the purchase of such objets d'art, etc.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Art Treasures.
106.
I had cause to have this matter fully examined recently and I am not satisfied that the extent to which objects of art are being exported from this country is such as to call for legislation of the type which appears to be envisaged by the Deputy. Apart from this I feel that such legislation could merely result in any person who wanted to export an object of art quoting a price for it to one of our science and art institutions which would be out of all keeping with its real value. In such circumstances, the institution concerned would be held to ransom in relation to either paying an exorbitant price or allowing the object to be exported.