Vol. 531 No. 1
134 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has available to her a register of all the valuable paintings or other works of art here in both public and private collections; if she has satisfied herself that adequate security precautions are taken at each location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5174/01]
Section 48 of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, provides for the establishment of a register of cultural objects whose export from the State would constitute a serious loss to the heritage of Ireland. The register has been activated to date by means of statutory instrument in respect of paintings in public collections only, that is, the National Gallery of Ireland and the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art. S.I. No. 328 of 1997 relates to paintings in the care of the National Gallery and S.I. No. 438 of 1998 relates to paintings in the care of the Hugh Lane Gallery. Items listed in the register are subject to the usual stringent security requirements of these institutions.
