asked the Minister for Education if he will consider setting up a permanent trust fund for the purchase of items of cultural and historical interest to Ireland, which come on the home market from time to time; and if he will introduce legislation to control the export of items of cultural and historical interest which may be irreplaceable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Cultural Items.
19.
Mr. O'Malley
There are funds permanently available to the National Museum, the National Library and the National Gallery for the purchase of items of cultural and historical interest to Ireland. The present arrangement is sufficiently flexible to meet our needs and it is not considered that the establishment of one permanent trust fund is necessary.
The matter of the export of such items is regulated under the National Monuments Acts, 1930 and 1954 and the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act, 1945.