asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the future of the National Library map collection.
74.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - National Library Map Collection.
73.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the National Library map collection is not at present available to students, historians and research workers and that this is a severe handicap to them in their work; and if he will take immediate steps to have this situation rectified.
75.
asked the Minister for Education if he is satisfied with the conditions under which the National Library map collection is stored at present.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 74 and 75 together.
I am hopeful that additional accommodation, which will enable the map collection to made accessible to users once more, will soon be available for the National Library. I regret that students, historians and research workers do not have access to the maps at present. I am satisfied with the conditions under which the collection is stored.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary confirm that this very valuable map collection is at present stored in a basement in Earlsfort Terrace? Has he had any inspection made or in what way has he satisfied himself that the present storage is safe and adequate for this very valuable collection?
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is "yes". The answer to the second part of the question is that the decision to transfer the maps there was taken by the trustees of the National Library, on the recommendation of the director, who is professionally competent to advise on the safety of collections such as this and the conditions in which they are stored.
I have no doubt in the competence or erudition of the staff of the National Library but I would feel much happier if somebody in the Board of Works, for instance, had a look at the storage situation in Earlsfort Terrace and assured the Parliamentary Secretary that it was entirely satisfactory. Apart from that, I gather from the Parliamentary Secretary's statement that he hopes that space will be made available shortly for this collection. I want to ask him if this will be in the immediate future and, secondly, if this new area in which the collection will be situated will make the collection adequately available to students, researchers and so on?
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is that I am satisfied that the director of the National Library and his staff are the people most competent to advise on the safety of the collection but I would be very happy to get a second opinion from the Board of Works and the Deputy's suggestion is one which I will take up. I would not wish to state that the alternative accommodation to which I referred will be available immediately. I cannot set a date on it but very specific steps are in train towards the provision of that accommodation. In relation to the third part of the Deputy's question it is envisaged that, in the new accommodation for the maps, provision will be made for access to them by students, historians and research workers.
Will it be central city? Will it be placed in the National Library?
I would prefer not to answer that question.
For security reasons, presumably.