Vol. 417 No. 2
2 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he intends in conjunction with the National Gallery to use the vacant State property at 88-89 Merrion Square to provide for a special museum dedicated to the Yeats family and their unique contribution to the cultural heritage of the nation, having regard to the special tourism potential of such a museum, similar to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and the Picasso museum in Paris; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The future use of the properties at 88-89 Merrion Square is currently under consideration between my Department, the National Gallery and the Office of Public Works. I understand that the director of the National Gallery has plans to develop a Yeats section in the gallery. I have been pursuing this matter and asked for a meeting to be arranged — which I will attend — between representatives of my Department, the National Gallery and the Office of Public works.
Will the Minister of State with responsibility for arts and culture seriously take on board the suggestion contained in the question, to celebrate the contribution of the Yeats family, male and female, to the culture of our island? He should also avail of the opportunity to provide access to the public to two potentially fine Georgian houses in Merrion Square, separate and independent, but nevertheless related to the National Gallery, in view of the fact that that type of museum presentation has been so successfully put in place in Paris and Amsterdam? It would be a mistake to confine the focus of attention on the visual arts contribution of the Yeats family when a unique opportunity presents itself in relation to two State owned properties adjacent to the National Gallery.
As the Deputy is aware, one room in the National Gallery is dedicated to Jack B. Yeats. At present they cannot exhibit their entire collection of Yeats, which numbers approximately 42 works, because of space considerations. The gallery have already indicated their intention to develop a special Yeats collection within the gallery. I have an open mind in regard to his suggestion, it is worthy of consideration and I will pursue it at the meeting between officials of my Department, the National Gallery and the Office of Public Works. However, if the accommodation at 88-89 Merrion Square came under the control of the National Gallery there would be a very strong argument for using it as office accommodation so that there would be more space within the gallery for an expansion of the area dedicated to Jack B. Yeats. As I said, I will keep his suggestion in mind at the meeting with the people concerned.
I thank the Minister for his reply. When he is examining this matter will he also look at the house on Merrion Square which the National Gallery restored for their own exclusive use at an outrageous cost, and which is not open to the public? Will he ensure that that kind of excessive expenditure is not repeated? Will he also seriously look at the integrated exhibition, not just at the visual arts, which is the sole remit of the gallery, but of the literary works, the Cuala Press and all the other things with which the Yeats family were associated. It is a unique opportunty to do this and the space should not be lost to provide office accommodation for officials within the gallery. It is inopportune use of scarce space.
I will also take that suggestion on board.
We will now proceed to questions nominated for priority. As usual, I wish to advise the House that the questions on which we are embarking are those nominated for priority for which only 15 minutes is provided in the Standing Orders of this House.
