Vol. 455 No. 5
12 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the deterioration of the former sail training vessel, Asgard, which is on display at Kilmainham jail; the measures, if any that will be taken by the State to ensure the safe preservation of this historic vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10090/95]
On the basis of a detailed examination of the Asgard which was carried out by a marine surveyor at the request of the National Monuments and Historic Properties Service, I am satisfied that the vessel is in a good structural condition.
It is intended to conserve the vessel to ensure its future preservation and to place it on public exhibition in a historical museum setting.
I thank the Minister for his assurance that this historic vessel, which is of key importance to historians here, is in good condition. Listeners to this debate will be intrigued to hear that in today's Order Paper concern has been expressed about the future of the birthplace of Edward Carson on the one hand and for the future of the Asgard on the other. That underlines the richness of the many strands that make up Irish history. It is to the credit of all parties that we are concerned to preserve these items, not just for this but for future generations. Having guaranteed the future condition of the Asgard, has the Minister decided where it will be put on public display and who will be responsible for its maintenance into the next generation?
The Asgard is on display in Kilmainham. When we examine the question of the future of museum space and its structure, we will then look at the question of the best and most suitable point of access, conservation and retention in the public interest.
Will the Minister indicate he is prepared to pursue that matter and to ensure that the Asgard is put in the most suitable location? I do not consider the present location to be the most suitable.
I would be very upset to be accused of authoritarianism if I suggested that my decision as to where it should go was the best place. I will listen with great patience and equanimity to all the suggestions. In the end we will take a decision in the context of a museum strategy.
