Vol. 458 No. 8
34 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht his views on whether the coastal charters should be returned from the National Library to Cashel, County Tipperary, on a permanent basis and displayed in the new heritage centre in Cashel town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17297/95]
The Cashel Charters consist of two original copies of two separate charters dating from the later part of the 17th century and have been in the care of the National Library of Ireland for many years.
I have received a request for the return of these charters for permanent display in the new Cashel Heritage Centre. In the light of additional information supplied to elaborate on the request, the Director of the National Library of Ireland and the supervisory authority for the Library, the Council of Trustees, will be re-considering the request.
It would be inconsistent if any material, once entrusted to the long-term care of the National Library, was to be removed permanently from its direct supervision. In general the long-and short-term loan of such materials must take account of the fact that the National Library is the repository of last resort with the vital function of preserving material for the long-term, and must also take account of the needs of researchers and the security and safety of the material while on loan.
The National Library has already indicated its willingness to provide high quality colour reproductions of the charters free of charge for display in the heritage centre.
