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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2007

Vol. 637 No. 7

Museum Accident: Statements.

Before taking questions, I understand the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism wishes to make a statement.

I wish to make a short statement on the incident at the Natural History Museum this morning. Late this morning, part of a limestone stairs in the private part of the Natural History Museum fractured and collapsed. Some 21 primary teachers attending a science appreciation course were in that part of the building at the time. A number of those attending were in the vicinity of the stairs. The museum immediately notified the emergency services, tended to the injured, evacuated and closed the building. I understand 11 people were injured. The emergency services, museum safety staff and gardaí were immediately on the scene. I am grateful for their swift response. As soon as I was informed of the tragedy, I visited the museum together with the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Noel Ahern, to see the extent of the incident and offer whatever help we could. I was briefed by the director of the museum and I requested that the museum should remain closed and be subjected to a rigorous structural and safety audit, which he will now commence.

The emergency services were on the scene within minutes and the injured were taken to St. James's, St. Vincent's and the Mater hospitals. The public part of the museum was immediately evacuated and the museum's emergency plan was fully activated. Pending a full health and safety audit by the Health and Safety Authority, and other relevant authorities, the Natural History Museum will remain closed to visitors for the foreseeable future.

At this juncture, I am glad to say I have been informed that none of the injuries is life threatening. The director of the museum, its board, and the Department will continue to monitor developments. On behalf of everybody in the House, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to those who were injured, and to their families. I wish them a speedy and full recovery.

I join with the Minister in offering our good wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who were injured. I totally support the Minister's call for an audit of the building, following which an immediate investment should be made in the museum. For some time, I have been calling for a significant investment in the structures not only of the Natural History Museum, but also the National Museum and the National Writers' Museum. This incident is a wake-up call. I urge the Minister to follow up on this rigorously and not to delay the implementation of a programme to ensure the building is safe not only for the staff but also for the thousands of people who visit the museum everyyear.

I concur with the previous speakers in wishing well those who suffered trauma this morning. It is a matter of serious concern for them and their families, although it is good to hear that their health has not been seriously affected. I congratulate the work of the emergency services. From the minute word of the incident came, we saw those services take action. It is always a revelation to see how organised they are. I remember being on the dual carriageway that famous morning when a major crash occurred and I saw the emergency services at work then also. They are to be congratulated on their efforts. A mechanism has now been put in place to ensure the safety of the building. Everything will be done to restore it to its position as part of our heritage, including its educational role. Given the number of visitors to the museum every day, that work needs to be undertaken as a matter of urgency. I am sure the Minister and his Minister of State will ensure that happens.

I ask the Minister to convey the good wishes of the House to those who were injured.

I thank you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, for your flexibility in allowing my statement to be taken.

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