Vol. 417 No. 5
8 Mr. McCartan asked the Taoiseach if it is envisaged that resources will be made available to enable the National Museum to establish a central repository for the storage of all collections and items belonging to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
9 Mr. McCartan asked the Taoiseach if he will outline (a) the location used for the storage of the collections of the National Museum and their whereabouts and (b) the various items or parts of collections based at each location; if he has satisfied himself with the security at each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
10 Mr. McCartan asked the Taoiseach the steps which are being taken to improve storage facilities in the National Museum which were described in the report of the Board of Visitors for 1989 as not meeting the basic requirements for the protection of objects from deterioration; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 10, inclusive, together.
The collections of the National Museum, not currently on display, are stored at the following locations:
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Archaeological and decorative arts |
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Kildare Street |
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Dublin excavations, decorative arts, foreign ethnography |
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Merrion Row |
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Natural history collections |
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Merrion Street. |
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Geological collections and marine specimens |
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Beggars Bush. |
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National Folklife collections |
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Daingean, Co. Offaly. |
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Casts of high crosses |
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Four Courts basement. |
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Coaches and carriages |
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Stephens' Army Barracks Kilkenny, Royal Hospital Kilmainham and at Daingean, Co. Offaly. |
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Items of furniture, ironwork and oriental material |
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OPW Stores Inchicore. |
I am satisfied with the security arrangements at the various locations and this is kept under constant review. Where improvements are identified such as those at Daingean and Inchicore, they have been carried out. I can assure the Deputy that the views and recommendations expressed in the report of the Board of Visitors are always given due consideration by both my Department and the National Museum authorities.
The Director of the National Museum advises that because of the diverse nature of the collections and the different environmental conditions required in relation to their protection and preservation, it is not considered by the museum authorities that a central repository for storage is either practical or desirable. He considers that such a repository would carry increased risks in the areas of the fire and security and would also cut across the museum's objective of having storage and exhibitions close together.
The proposed development of a decorative arts museum at the Custom House Docks will make further storage space available. In addition, a study is currently being prepared by the National Museum and the Office of Public Works on the question of the overall accommodation requirements of the museum. This study will include a detailed examination of current storage facilities as well as office and exhibition space.
I welcome the indication given by the Minister of State that serious consideration will be given to the question of storage. Will the Minister of State agree that the use of Army barracks at Kilkenny and elsewhere for the minding and safe keeping of part of our national collection is totally inappropriate? Does he accept the views of the directors, contained in the 1989 report, the Museum's storage conditions do not meet basic requirements to protect against deterioration? Does he accept that major work has to be done in this area and that it requires urgent attention by his Department?
I accept that much work has to be done. The national collection of carriages is currently at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham and Stephens' Army Barracks in Kilkenny. Their collection contains 19 carriages, seven of which are stored at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, five at the Army barracks in Kilkenny and five at Daingean. The Lord Chancellor's coach is on display in Newbridge House and the Daniel O'Connell coach is being restored by the Office of Public Works prior to being sent on loan to Derrynane. Much work is going on. My general approach is that storage and display go hand in hand. My earlier remarks in regard to a central repository are valid in that there is a risk in terms of security and fire if all these items are stored together. The study being undertaken will be completed in a matter of weeks and we will be in a better position to consider what should be done in the future.
I fail to understand how items of historical interest become flammable just because they are stored in the same room. Will the Minister of State indicate the plans in regard to exhibition and display at Daingean, Kilkenny, Inchicore and elsewhere? He said that these repositories are being maintained on the basis that the items will be ultimately displayed. Will the Minsiter of State accept that there is a need for rationalisation in regard to the storage of these items, not perhaps in a single central repository but in modern conditions which will protect the various items? Concern has been expressed by the board of directors in regard to this aspect.
As I said, much work is going on in this area. For example, there are plans to develop conservation laboratories. There are many excellent proposals in place. With regard to the question of plans, as the Deputy is probably aware it is proposed to develop a decorative arts museum at the Custom House Docks. This is one of the options which will be available for storage and display. While there are many plans in the pipeline I accept that much work remains to be done. The study which is being undertaken at present will address those issues. I assure the Deputy that I am aware of the position in regard to this matter and I have taken a particular interest in it.
Will the Minsiter of State agree that using a centre city location where the imputed rental per square foot is the highest in the country for storage is not the most sensible approach from a cost-benefit point of view? If he could provide custom built storage facilities at a location where the imputed rental per square foot would be less he could improve storage quality for the same cost or even less than the present arrangements?
I accept the Deputy's point that the question of location of storage should be addressed. I made the point some weeks ago at Question Time that there is a need for greater access by the public to the valuable collection in the National Museum. The whole question should be looked at but I am not in a position to make any specific commitments at this stage.
I agree with the Minister's statement that he would prefer not to have a central repository; it would be a mistake. Which rural areas where the items are stored at present are available for inspection or viewing by the public? As far as I am aware, most of the places mentioned by the Minister of State are not accessible to the general public.
The Deputy is quite correct. In Daingean there is a collection of national folklife including dressers, public house equipment, kitchens, farm instruments, etc. I have already said that five carriages are stored in Kilkenny. However, much good work is going on and my Department are conscious of the need to monitor the situation and to preserve these very valuable national monuments.
Have the Minister or his Department any plans to relocate the items which are at present in storage and to which the general public do not have access? Are there plans to relocate them in developing local museums, which would be a step in the right direction, as there is an upsurge of interest in local museums from the point of view of tourism, etc? It would be a good move as some of the articles may have originated in an are in which a local museum is located.
The study currently underway covers this aspect of storage as well as exhibition opportunities. As I said earlier, my objective is to provide greater access for the public, in particular through the regions.
