Dick Spring
Question:29 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands who represented the Government at the official opening of the National Museum at Collins Barracks, Dublin 7. [14657/97]
Written Answers - National Museum.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:48 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to criticism of the failure to make proper preparations for the opening of the new National Museum premises in Collins Barracks, Dublin 7, which has resulted in inadequate displays of exhibits; the steps, if any, she will take to resolve the industrial dispute involving museum staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17362/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 48 together.
As Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, I had the honour of officiating at the official opening of the National Museum at Collins Barracks, an event also attended by the Minister of State at my Department, and by the Minister of State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for the Office of Public Works.
I do not accept the criticism that there has been a failure to make proper preparations for the opening of the new National Museum of Ireland facility. The staff of the National Museum, the Office of Public Works and my Department, with the co-operation of the Army, have been engaged over the past four years in continuous and detailed planning and preparation for the opening of this facility.
The first phase of this major development opened on 18 September last. The restoration of the magnificent Clarke Square is now complete and it represents the centrepiece of the barracks and the focal point for visitors with its remodelled arches, exhibition galleries and visitor facilities. To date, over 20,000 visitors have attended the new facility and the response from the public has been extremely positive.
Deputies should be aware that the new museum has now opened with a series of contemporary and innovative exhibitions, a museum café and gift shop, a community room and audio-visual theatre. Up to thirty new members of staff were also employed recently for the new museum including attendants, sales assistants and tour guides.
Due to the industrial dispute, I accept that some exhibitions remain incomplete. However, the number of exhibits involved is relatively small. The new museum has on display hundreds of artefacts ranging from ceramics and glassware, silver and furniture to costume and folklife many of which have never been seen before. The exhibition galleries have been completely fitted out with new state of the art display cases and lighting and the use of interactive multi-media computers greatly assists in the enhancement of the visitor experience.
To place in context the number of exhibits which are now on display in Collins Barracks, the Deputy should be aware that a series of exhibitions have been developed over three floors of two blocks of Clarke Square. It is estimated that the average amount of time spent by visitors in the exhibitions ranges from one to three hours.
I stress that on my appointment as Minister, I inherited a situation of industrial action among the professional and technical grades in the National Museum. There is a compelling need to resolve this industrial dispute. The National Museum is at a key point in its development, with the recent opening to the public of phase 1 of the Collins Barracks project. It is my earnest wish that a practical solution to the dispute is reached in order that the National Museum is in a position to tackle the many challenges that lie ahead at this key time in its development. Like all Ministers, however, I am required to consider all claims for promotions and additional staff within my Department in the context of the wider public sector pay and staff numbers policy, and this dispute can only be resolved within that framework.