andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Education whether, in order to facilitate persons who work during the daytime, the Museum and other similar institutions of an educational character will be kept open for visitors during hours after 5 p.m.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Museum Opening Hours.
26.
The National Library is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day from Monday to Friday inclusive and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
The extension of the present opening of the National Gallery is a matter for the Board of Governors.
Some time ago, the hours of opening of the National Museum on weekdays were extended for a trial period, but it was found that the attendance of the public between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. was so small as not to warrant the continuance of this arrangement. I intend to have the position examined again.
Could I ask the Minister to take some steps to publicise to a very much greater extent the fact that this wonderful collection of Irish craft over the centuries is available here? If he does that, he may get a better response. One of the difficulties is that people do not know this collection is there. If they did, they would visit the Museum.
Publicising would be part of any new trial, I think.