Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2004
81 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has made a decision on the way in which to advance an investigation into alleged looting by Nazis of the Hunt Museum collection in Limerick; if the resources are in place to allow for this investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31429/04]
View answerThe Hunt Museum is not a State body under the aegis of my Department but rather a private museum managed by the Hunt Museum Trust. In those circumstances it is a matter for the Hunt Museum in the first instance to respond to allegations relating to the provenance of some items in the Hunt collection. I understand that arrangements have been made by the museum to have these allegations assessed by reputable independent experts. I have asked the museum authorities to keep me posted on progress.
In dealing with this matter it is imperative that the museum be afforded the presumption of innocence until, and unless, the allegations are found to be true.
