Vol. 466 No. 4
301 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for the Marine if this attention has been drawn to the need to renovate the National Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin in order to display the exhibits therein to their full potential; the action, if any, he intends taking in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11442/96]
I am very conscious of the present unsatisfactory condition of the building housing the National Maritime Museum. I am aware that officials of the museum are considering a number of options in this context aimed at accommodating its present and future requirements and it is my intention to be as fully supportive as possible of these plans when finalised. Both I and officials of the Department have met with representatives of the museum on a number of occasions in this regard and I have spoken to my colleagues, Deputy Higgins, Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, about the involvement of his Department in the project. I understand that Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has put forward a draft proposal for the museum for funding under the Tourism Operational Programme.
I am deeply conscious of the important and valued role which the museum has played and continues to play in fostering an awareness of the nation's maritime heritage. I would hope that it will continue to fulfil this role in the future.
