Bernard J. Durkan
Question:21 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number and location of museums under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24824/98]
Other Questions. - Location of Museums.
In answering this question I am assuming the definition of museum relates to institutions that are systematically collecting artefacts in three-dimensional form that are evidence of Ireland's past. Given this delineation the National Museum of Ireland is the only body under the aegis of my Department that comes within the scope of the definition. Excluding locations purely for storage, the National Museum of Ireland currently has premises in Kildare Street, Merrion Street and Collins Barracks, Dublin.
Given the emphasis nowadays on decentralisation and its obvious merits, would the Minister consider making other display centres available throughout the country to bring artefacts nearer to the population? This in turn would remove a number of items from storage which have been in storage for some time.
I understand where the Deputy is coming from. I commend his view on regionalisation to give people the opportunity to see artefacts that are of interest to their own area and to have them remain in their own areas. However, as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, I have to reiterate that the museum which comes under the aegis of my Department is the National Museum of Ireland. According to that definition, local museums are not the responsibility of my Department. This is analogous to the position of the Arts Council and the Heritage Council — both have a specific remit and come under the aegis of the Department but they are independent in their functions. The Deputy might have in mind the CDIS funding which gave an opportunity to further regionalise facilities in the arts and in heritage generally. That was one of the opportunities afforded, in the 39 projects that have been accepted under the CDIS funding, to regionalise the arts and heritage. My responsibility as Minister is for the National Museum.
Would the Minister agree that in negotiating the Structural Funding that will succeed CDIS funding, there will be an opportunity to secure funding to advance projects rather like the CDIS and regionalisation of cultural institutions?
I agree with the Deputy that such funding has been extremely useful because the Exchequer would not be in a position to put all this money at the disposal of these projects. The last tranche of funding has been a great success and I will put up as strong an argument as I possibly can to ensure similar funding for the future.
Accepting that the Minister's responsibility is for the National Museum, has she any proposals for an exhibition loan plan which would allow local museums, such as the Willie Monks Museum in Lusk, to benefit from the substantial collection in the National Museum, which there is not the time or perhaps the space to exhibit? Could museums apply to the Minister or to the National Museum to have such exhibitions on loan?
The Minister stated that the number of buildings at her disposal is limited. Has she not considered the acquisition of Ballincollig Barracks which the Minister for Defence is about to put up for sale? Surely that would be a good site for a major museum in Cork where there are many artefacts which could be displayed.
The Minister is able to deliver on regionalisation, as we know.
I do not have such discretionary funds at my disposal. Therefore, it is not a question of being able to look across the country to see what buildings are available. Unfortunately, that is not my function. I certainly agree that regionalisation is important and that is being done through the CDIS funding to which I have referred. I will certainly do what I can to secure further funding for the future.
With regard to Deputy Sargent's question on loans from the National Museum, I would encourage the Deputy to contact the National Museum. Certain issues would have to be discussed, among them the question of security and preservation, heating, lighting and so on. I would encourage the Deputy to make direct contact with the National Museum.
On a point of order, have we reached an all-time low in terms of the number of questions we got through — six questions today? It is a disgrace.
I agree with the Deputy that it is not satisfactory.
The average is usually 15.
That is correct, but the answer lies with the Members themselves in terms of speeding things up.
The Chair needs a gong for the Minister.
Unfortunately the Chair has no control over the content or the length of a Minister's reply.
The replies were very long.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.