asked the Minister for Finance at what date it is expected to complete the renewal of stonework on the National Library and National Museum, as mentioned at Vote 9, subhead B, number 32.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Library and Museum: Stonework Renewal.
29.
The work in question has to be carried out in stages. The first stage, the treatment of the East Pavilion of the National Library, was completed in 1957 at a cost of about £24,000. The second stage, the treatment of the West Pavilion of the National Library and the screen wall along Kildare Street, which will cost about £30,000, is at present nearing completion. The remainder of the frontage of the National Library to Kildare Street will next be dealt with. It is expected that work on this will commence in about two years' time and will take a further two to three years to complete.
At this juncture it is not possible to indicate with any degree of certainty when the remaining stages are likely to be completed but in view of the magnitude of the work and because of its tedious nature it seems clear that at least another 15 years will elapse before completion.