Vol. 399 No. 10
1 Mr. McCarthy asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the circumstances under which the Derrynaflan Chalice is to be removed from the National Museum for display at Malahide Castle, County Dublin, during a dinner for EC leaders on 25 June 1990; the measures which are being taken to ensure that this national treasure is not damaged; if any other items are to be removed from the museum for this dinner; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
2 Mr. Nealon asked the Taoiseach if reports that the Derrynaflan Chalice is to be brought to Malahide Castle, County Dublin for display at the EC Heads of Government banquet are correct; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
On behalf of the Taoiseach, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
A representation of the Derrynaflan Chalice was reproduced on the dinner menu cover on the occasion of the last European Council, 28 April 1990. The Heads of State or Government present at that Council expressed keen interest in the chalice and its historical context. It was decided to give them an opportunity to see the chalice on their return to Dublin for the June Summit. As there would not be sufficient time for the Heads of State or Government to visit the National Museum, the Derrynaflan Chalice will be on display at Malahide Castle on Monday evening, 25 June 1990, when the Heads of State or Government will attend a function there.
The chalice will be shown in a sealed, climate controlled exhibition case specially provided by the National Museum. The highest standards of packing, transport and security, under the supervision of the competent professional staff of the National Museum, will be observed.
The chalice is currently on display in the National Museum together with other masterpieces of Celtic metalwork from the period 6th to 9th century in an exhibition entitled "The Work of Angels". It should be a matter of pride for us that the Heads of State or Government expressed such interest in the chalice. Their interest should stimulate interest generally in viewing the chalice and the other masterpieces which accompany it in the exhibition at the museum. I may add that the Heads of State or Government will view the chalice after the exhibition has closed for the day and it will be returned before the exhibition opens the next day.
I decry, and am bitterly disappointed at, the attempts made to suggest that this viewing of the chalice by the leaders of Europe is anything other than a proper and courteous response to an interest expressed by them in one of our national treasures. I would also emphasise that the chalice, as it deserves, will be displayed in a dignified and respectful manner under conditions prescribed by the professional staff of the museum.
I would further emphasise my own deep personal interest in the Derrynaflan Hoard. I visited the museum the day it arrived there with the clay of centuries still clinging to it and I have fully supported the museum staff in all their work associated with the hoard at every stage. I yield to no Deputy in this House in my reverence for and attachment to the Derrynaflan Chalice and Hoard.
Finally, I would point out that I approved the making of a grant of £150,000 to enable the Derrynaflan Hoard and other museum treasures to be included in the "Work of Angels" Exhibition being organised in London and Edinburgh in conjunction with the British Museum and the National Museum of Scotland so as to give the people of Britain and Scotland the opportunity to see these treasures. The chalice was also put on display in Cork and Cahir when Deputy Nealon was the Minister responsible for it and he, in fact, opened those exhibitions. I commend him for that action, which is in keeping with the policy many Deputies have been advocating of displaying artefacts from our National Museum at centres around the country.
An uncommonly comprehensive reply.
I should like to ask the Minister to cite one precedent for this extraordinary decision to display a piece of national treasure at a dinner for Heads of Government. Will the Minister indicate any other occasion when in any other jurisdiction a national treasure of any member state was displayed on the dining table of the guest nation? Will the Minister agree that it is particularly regretful, that when the excellent exhibition, "The Work of Angels", is taking place at the National Museum, it is not there that the Heads of State are being brought to see the Derrynaflan Hoard and our other fine treasures? Will the Minister agree that the whole saga and decision has set off a regrettable set of requests, best illustrated by that to exhibit the Derrynaflan Chalice at the Nenagh's EC hooley with the Minister for Agriculture and Food looking for it for his constituency? Will there be any end to this abuse of our national treasures?
That is rubbish.
The Deputy has made his point.
That is rubbish and the Deputy knows it. I have more respect than that for the chalice.
I reject the Deputy's suggestion that this is not a proper occasion for the display of one of our national treasures. As Minister for Education, I advocated bringing the Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and the Book of Kells to New York, Boston and San Francisco. That was quite a hazardous and worrying journey.
They went to museums and were on public display.
They were brought back in perfect condition and their delightful artistry was made available to thousands of people in the United States. That happened also in Europe. When we have something which is really worth while, which can stand up artistically internationally, then it is to the benefit of the country and to the morale of the country to put it on display whenever possible.
Yes, in the National Museum. Have we any precedent for the Taoiseach's behaviour in this shoddy manner?
I wonder what the Government propose to put on the table for that banquet when Jack Charlton comes back with the World Cup?
The World Cup will be on the table.
The Minister has given as his reason the great interest expressed by the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Thatcher, and others in seeing the Derrynaflan Chalice. Does the Minister believe that if the Taoiseach professed an interest in the Crown Jewels they would be displayed on a banquet table in London for him?
We are not a bit interested in the Crown Jewels.
I would like to compliment the Deputy for having himself shown the Derrynaflan Chalice in Cahir and Cork when he was responsible for it. All I can do is repeat that the product of the skilled hands that produced the Derrynaflan Chalice should be shown to as many people as possible. It is the product of the hands of Irish craftsmen. I hope that when Jack Charlton comes back, the product of the skilled feet of Irishmen will also be on display.
May I ask a question?
I cannot facilitate you.
Why not? That is unfair. I have the right to ask a question.
It has to be said that what has been said is an outrageous untruth and says more about you than it does about anybody else.
Deputy Barry may ask a brief question. I was anxious to make some progress.
There are a number of other artefacts in the museum. Would the Minister give his approval to some of them being displayed in other parts of the country as appropriate, ensuring that special care was taken of them?
The questions referred to the Derrynaflan Chalice and the hoard associated with it.
By extension it refers to everything else too.
Ceist 3.
Sula gcuirfidh mé tús leis an freagra, is dócha go bhfuil dualgas orm, mar Chonallach, comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le Conallach eile, Packie Bonner as Tír Chonaill, a d'imir chomh maith sin inné, agus foireann na hÉireann, sa réamhbhabhta Chomhórtas Chorn an Domhain.
