Vol. 397 No. 1
2 Mr. McCartan asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to comments made by the Director of the National Gallery to the Public Accounts Committee, regarding the security of valuable paintings in the gallery; the plans, if any, there are to improve security there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As the Director of the National Gallery recently informed the Dáil Committee of Public Accounts, major improvements have been made and are continuing to be made in the security systems in the gallery under the refurbishment programme underway at the gallery at a cost to the State in excess of £6 million.
The effectiveness of security installations as well as security practices and procedures at the gallery are kept under review by the gallery's director in consultation with my Department, the Garda authorities, the Office of Public Works and security consultants.
I thank the Taoiseach for taking this question against the trend. It was originally tabled to the Minister for Finance but I am pleased the Taoiseach has seen his role and responsibility in the matter.
He leaves cultural matters to me.
I had begun to doubt that as other questions were so readily deflected from the Taoiseach's Department. The Director of the National Gallery acknowledged the genuine dangers that exist and he seemed to indicate that, despite improvements — which were more to do with the fabric of the building and mending the leaks — major deficiencies still exist in security. Is the Taoiseach prepared to initiate or seek advice directly on that aspect of the needs of the National Gallery in view of the wealth contained therein?
I was down there quite recently on a very pleasant occasion and I was given a first hand view of the security arrangements, which have been greatly improved. I venture to suggest that they are up to the most modern standards available, with the highest technology and so on. Of course there is always a danger in any public institution but the situation there is being adequately dealt with.
I understand that the electronics surveillance operation does not exist in all the galleries of the institution and the existing staff cannot provide adequate cover in all the galleries if and when they are open. Will the Taoiseach investigate those aspects of the problem?
As the vernacular has it, I was talking to the man himself that evening. We discussed all those matters and he took great pride in a lot of the technology installed and the systems which have been put in place. They include cameras, lighting, closed circuit television, security rails, a central security control room and steel security doors. The position is under continuing review but enormous improvements have been — and will — continue to be made.
