Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - Historical Artefacts.

Enda Kenny

Question:

279 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the offer made by the Argentine navy to provide artefacts to the State for presentation at a memorial park dedicated to Admiral Brown, founder of the Argentine navy; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that two containers of artefacts donated by the Argentine navy are lodged in the Dublin docks since 1998; his views on whether this position is satisfactory; if he will make direct contact with the port authorities and the organisers of the approved Admiral Brown Memorial Park, Foxford, County Mayo, in order to have these artefacts provided to the committee involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter in order that this current problem can be resolved and the matter brought to a satisfactory conclusion. [14361/03]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am aware that 20th century naval equipment, apparently offered as a gift to the Foxford Admiral Brown Society by the Argentine naval authorities, was dispatched to the society in May 1998. This equipment remains in storage in Dublin Port as the consignee has failed to pay the carriage and other charges due.

My Department has no role in this matter. I hope that the society, the port authorities and the consignee could come to an arrangement that would enable the society to obtain possession of the consignment.

Question No. 280 answered with Question No. 277.