asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the findings of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for 1988 which showed that, during a local audit carried out by his staff in the Irish Antiquities Division and the Art and Industrial Division of the National Museum, while stocktaking commenced in early 1988 in the Irish Antiquities Division only a small proportion of the objects had been verified against the records at the time of audit and that no other overall stocktaking on a regular or systematic basis had been carried out in either division prior to that; the steps it is intended to take to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Museum Audit.
3.
I am aware of the reference in question in the report for 1988 of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The response of my Department on the issues raised is also included in that report. It is pointed out that, in recent years, substantial additional storage and display space has been provided for the museum. In addition, the quality of its existing storage space has been improved.
Additional temporary professional staff have been assigned to the museum and work was begun on a comprehensive listing of its collections. Computer equipment has already been acquired and is being augmented. It is hoped, subject to the exigencies of the public finances, to provide additional staff and equipment on a phased basis.
The director is at present finalising a work plan to ensure that greater attention is given in future to the stocktaking and cataloguing of the museum's collections.
How long have the Taoiseach and his Department known that there has not been any stocktaking in the National Museum apart from the small amount embarked upon in 1988?
These matters were neglected for many years but in the case of the National Museum, the National Library and our other cultural institutions, we are getting around to catching up in dealing with these outstanding matters. Staff and resources are being laid on to get matters into a satisfactory condition.
In view of the fact that we learned recently that items were stolen from the National Museum and that the report of the Visitors to the National Museum in 1987 indicated damage caused to property because of poor storage, can the Taoiseach indicate how soon full facilities will be made available to the museum to ensure the full cataloguing and safety of the property and items there?
The Deputy is introducing new matter.
Progress has been slow due principally to the sheer size of the collections and indeed the poor quality of the documentation that exists but the director is getting on with the task. I cannot give any specific times but I may reassure the Deputy by telling him that the work — which was neglected for many years — is now in hand and is being updated.
Clearly there is now a programme in place to have these matters put in order. Can the Taoiseach give some indication to the House and the public how long that is likely to take?
As I said in my reply, the director is at present finalising a work plan. As soon as that is available I will let the Deputy know what it involves.
Question No. 4.
Arising out of the Taoiseach's earlier reply, will he say if it is the intention to appoint a statutory body to run the affairs of the National Museum, such as obtains in respect of many of the other institutions, instead of the present advisory body which has no powers or authority whatsoever?
I think the Deputy would have to table another question to which I will give a full and comprehensive reply.
Question No. 4 has been postponed until tomorrow.