Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2015
269. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will share the results of the review of the export licensing system for artworks; if she is considering proposals to amend the licensing system to afford the National Gallery greater powers to intervene, when it is proposed that artworks of significant National importance be disposed of abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24086/15]
View answer278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which her Department monitors the sale, or potential sale, of paintings or objets d’art which may be deemed to be important in the context of our National heritage; if any plans have been put in place to retain such works here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24443/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 278 together.
Licences to export cultural goods/objects from Ireland to destinations within the European Union are issued by the relevant National Cultural Institution and/or my Department, depending on the nature of the cultural object, document or painting involved. Applications for licences to export paintings and drawings within the European Union are considered having regard to the provisions of the Documents and Pictures (Regulations of Export) Act, 1945. My Department is the competent authority under European Union legislation for the issue of licences to export cultural goods /objects to destinations outside the European Union.
My Department had commenced an examination of the issues involved in the commencement of certain provisions in the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 in relation to the export licensing system. I propose to bring this examination to a conclusion shortly.
