Vol. 405 No. 7
5 Mr. Nealon asked the Taoiseach if he will outline which body administer the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin 8; the extent of their powers and authority in general; and if these include making decisions on substantial alterations to the fabric of the building.
The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham is administered by a board appointed by the Government. Their main objectives are to develop the Royal Hospital as the Irish Museum of Modern Art and a national cultural centre. The board are responsible, in agreement with the Office of Public Works, for the minimal works necessary in the building to adapt it to house the Museum of Modern Art.
As the Taoiseach is aware, the restoration of the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham was internationally acclaimed not least for the fact that it meticulously maintained the original ground plan. Would he agree that what is happening now, the breaking up of the long corridors, the knocking down of internal walls, the putting in of a steel staircase, is something akin to planned vandalism of a heritage house?
For once I have to totally reject that suggestion by the Deputy. I know there is a controversy about this, but I am quite satisfied that what is being done to adapt this historic building — I personally had great part in its restoration — is in accordance with good artistic architectural standards and, indeed, something of this nature has been undertaken in many other capitals where old buildings are adapted to a new use and thereby brought into the mainstream of contemporary life and made relevant to the lives of people today. I am very happy with what is happening in Kilmainham and the cultural and artistic use to which it is now being put.
Other than the National Heritage Council who are ill-equipped to deal with this issue and who I understand are now embarrassed by what is happening, who were consulted about this work? Will the Taoiseach say who took the final decision? Did he take it or were the Office of Public Works involved?
I am not too sure what exact decision the Deputy is referring to. I must again reject what he has said about the National Heritage Council. He is not reflecting the position there at all. The decision about the method of adaptation was taken by the board on the best possible architectural advice. The Office of Public Works were involved.
Can the Taoiseach say whether it is intended to proceed with the paving of the courtyard?
Yes, it is.
