Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 May 1997

Vol. 479 No. 2

Written Answers. - National Museum.

Peadar Clohessy

Question:

124 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if a section of the new national museum at Collins Barracks, Dublin 7, will be retained for display of items of military historical interest. [11279/97]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

The National Museum, conscious that Collins Barracks is the longest continuously occupied barracks in Europe, wishes to acknowledge and maintain the strong links with the military aspects of the facility. The Defence Forces has made its military history collection available to the National Museum for display purposes. The National Museum has therefore committed itself to incorporating in its displays and the temporary exhibitions to be included in Phase II of the Collins Barracks project, material of a millitary history nature.

A functional brief and exhibition strategy for Phase II of the Collins Barracks project is currently being prepared by a firm of museum consultants in association with the National Museum. This firm is examining the needs of the museum and the possibilities of meeting those needs within the confines of the Barracks and the budget available. Items of military history interest will be dealt with in the context of these issues.