asked the Taoiseach in view of the fact that all parts of the National Museum in Kildare Street, Dublin 2, with the exception of the Treasury and the President's room are now closed for renovations and are likely to remain so for up to two years, if he will make arrangements for an exhibition of some of the more important treasures elsewhere in Dublin for the benefit of the many extra tourists and school outings expected to the city for the Millennium.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Museum Exhibits.
3.
A substantial section of the National Museum building in Kildare Street has been closed to allow for the completion of a major programme of rewiring. This is now nearly completed but refurbishing and redecoration works are continuing. The re-opening of the building will take place on a phased basis but it is expected that almost all of the area now closed will be re-opened by the end of May.
The major treasures of the National Museum continue to be magnificently displayed in the Treasury in the Kildare Street building and a major exhibition of Irish silver, mounted in co-operation with the Company of Goldsmiths of Dublin, is on display in the Museum's Merrion Row building.
The museum is presently engaged in preparing an exhibition for the Dublin Millennium which will be displayed around the perimeter of the Central Court of the Kildare Street building this summer.
As the Taoiseach is aware, time schedules very often slip by and I think the May date is being very optimistic. Is the Taoiseach aware that the museum is preparing a caged-in section of the Central Court for the exhibition of some of their artefacts? In view of the inadequate space, the importance of the Millennium and the National Museum as a major attraction for the Millennium, would the Taoiseach consider other venues, in particular the newly outfitted Royal Hibernian Academy, the Gallagher Gallery, which I understand will be ready for exhibitions in June? This may be an ideal place for exhibiting the large number of artefacts which it will not be possible for them to exhibit in the museum, not only for a year but for the next two years.
I will certainly look into that.