Vol. 433 No. 6
10 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his Department is considering a proposal for the transfer of the Chester Beatty Library to Dublin Castle; the progress, if any, which has been made with regard to the proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
12 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the plans, if any, he has for the expansion and development of the Chester Beatty Library; if he expects or intends that Dublin Castle could accommodate any or all of the collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna 10 agus 12 le chéile.
I have received proposals from the trustees of the Chester Beatty Library for the resiting of the library's collections at the Clock Tower Building, Dublin Castle. These proposals are under consideration at present in the context of the complex legal relationship between the trustees of the Library and the State that currently exists under the terms of the will of the late Sir Alfred Chester Beatty bequeathing his collection and library buildings in trust for the benefit of the public. It would be premature at this stage to offer any indication of the outcome of such deliberations.
Given the extensive nature of the requirements in terms of space in Dublin Castle for the collection, is the Minister satisfied that sufficient suitable space will be available for display of all the collection to the best advantage?
Complexities arise not just on questions of cost but also in terms of the structure of the bequest and its management in the will of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty. A working party established last year to examine the position and put forward recommendations, chaired by Dr. T. P. Hardiman and consisting of representatives of the Department of the Taoiseach and of the Office of Public Works among others, considered a number of possible locations and concluded that the best option of housing the collection was in the Clock Tower, Dublin Castle. There are a number of advantages in such a site. It would provide for the greatest possible accessibility of the collection and it would also fit in with the locality. If the building was refurbished this would be very appropriate usage for it. There are many merits in locating the library in this building and talks are taking place on the matter. I received a recent request for a meeting with the chairman of the trustees, Mr. justice Brian Walsh, and I hope to proceed on the basis of the working group's report. However, there are difficulties to be ironed out.
Will the Minister indicate the nature of the legal obstacles that exist and if those obstacles would exist were any of the other options identified by the working group selected? In relation to the Minister's reference to cost as being a possible obstacle, is a bottom line figure being sought by the Government from the trustees in relation to supporting relocation in the Castle or elsewhere?
We should use the opportunity to find an appropriate and good home for the collection where it would be accessible to the largest number of people. The talks should be used to iron out any difficulties that may arise —"difficulties" is the wrong word to use, rather they are complexities. The bequest is complex in terms of the collection and the building. I do not believe the complexities are insuperable, but they need respect. The working party made a very convincing case for a good location. We have not reached a cut-off point at which we would cease discussing the desirability of this location. I hope to take advantage of the talks to make further progress in this matter.
Will the Minister indicate that in principle there is no objection to the Castle location on the basis that the location would be required for other purposes or due to financial considerations?
This Minister is particularly aware of the danger of giving hostages to fortune, and there is an elaborate interest in my language. The proposed location is a very good one and if the working party puts forward good and convincing reasons that it is the best location, we will proceed along those lines.
Given the complexities correctly identified by the Minister, when will a final decision be made in relation to relocation?
I assure the House there will be no delay in this matter. On other aspects of my policy in relation to museums, I have begun consideration of new structures and I am anxious to make progress in all these matters as quickly as possible. I respect the complexities of the issue; nevertheless we have responsibilities to the State. I hope to have a meeting this month with the chairman of the trustees with a view to finalising the matter as quickly as possible.
