Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014
8. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the proposed cultural and heritage centre for College Green, the person responsible for the provision of historical content; the content that will be exhibited and-or historical experience facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10645/14]
View answer17. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he expects the proposed cultural and heritage centre for College Green to open; the budget he has provided for same; the type of exhibits he expects to be put on display; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10631/14]
View answer20. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to the proposed cultural and heritage centre for College Green, the new positions that will be created; if the Office of Public Works will be responsible for these positions along the lines of other cultural buildings; if they will be publicly advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10646/14]
View answer139. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans for a cultural centre at College Green, Dublin, in view of recent media reports that Bank of Ireland is now co-operating with the Minister's original plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10845/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 17, 20 and 139 together.
As the Deputies are aware, following ongoing discussions between my Department and the Bank of Ireland, I recently announced a partnership between the Bank of Ireland and my Department to create a new Cultural and Heritage Centre at Parliament Buildings, College Green. The Bank of Ireland at College Green is one of the most iconic buildings in Dublin City. It was the first purpose-built Parliament in Europe, completed in 1739, and served as Ireland’s Parliament until the Act of Union in 1801.
The space for the Centre will be made available to the State for a ten year period, to run alongside the Decade of Centenaries. It is envisaged that exhibitions at the Centre will include a significant focus on key events in Irish history – up to the centenary of the Civil War – which led to the creation of modern Ireland, whilst also including a strong cultural component.
Bank of Ireland will cover the costs of refurbishing the space and operating the Centre. My Department, in partnership with the Bank, will manage, operate and animate the Centre. I very much welcome Bank of Ireland's decision to make the space available and would like to thank it for strongly supporting this initiative.
I will shortly be establishing an expert committee drawn from the National Cultural Institutions and other city institutions to advise me on a suitable programme of exhibitions and events at the new Centre. This programme will have a significant focus on the social, economic and political events of the Decade of Centenaries.
As the matter is at an early stage of development, it would be premature to offer specifics about the programme of events or the operation of the Centre, in advance of the discussions of the expert committee. However, I believe the Centre will have a significant impact on enriching the cultural programme during the Decade of Centenaries over the next 10 years.
