asked the Minister for Finance whether any financial assistance is under consideration for the National Library, now infested with wood rot, so that the structure of the building may be maintained and facilities for storing books improved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Library.
15.
Funds for the execution of maintenance work at the National Library are provided each year in the Vote for Public Works and Buildings. An out-break of timber rot which manifested itself in the east wing has been treated and restoration works will be put in hands as early as possible. The outbreak was not extensive.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that there appears to be a grave shortage of space for very valuable books? Perhaps we should consider giving an extra subvention to the library in the current year because widespread structural alterations are necessary apart from dealing with the timber rot in the east wing which the Parliamentary Secretary mentioned.
I met the trustees here yesterday and we are doing everything we can to get additional storage space for them. The problem is that leaks were caused by two lead downpipes which are buried in the walls. Because of age the pipes had become defective. It is proposed to replace these pipes with plastic pipes, but we have to get a spell of settled weather before we can do that. Work costing about £5,000 will be put in hands pretty soon.