John Bruton
Question:9 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the present position in relation to the proposal to establish a National Gallery of Modern Art in accordance with paragraph 9.12 of the White Paper Access and Opportunity.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Gallery of Modern Art.
I announced on 17 November, 1989 the establishment by the Government of the Irish Museum of Modern Art at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
The necessary works of adaptation are now in progress. Mr. Declan McGonagle took up duty as Director in October, 1990 and other full-time curatorial and security posts have recently been advertised.
It is planned to open the new museum in May as part of Dublin's European City of Culture programme. The museum will open with a series of exhibitions representing contemporary and retrospective activity in Irish and international art. Included in the programme of major exhibitions from Ireland, Europe and the US are exhibitions of the works of Picasso and Mainie Jellet. Also on display will be selections of works from gifts to the State including the Gordon Lambert collection and Sidney Nolan's "Wild Geese" donation.
I welcome the realisation of this initiative taken by the Taoiseach's predecessor, Deputy FitzGerald, and by Deputy Nealon.
The Deputy mystifies me.
I am just putting the record straight as to where this idea came from.
It must be a great success when the Deputy is trying pathetically to claim some credit for it.
I am not claiming any credit at all for it.