asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that the largest private collection of Joyce material in the world was offered to the State; that due to failure to accept the offer the collection has now been donated to a university in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Joyce Collection.
23.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the Leinwall Collection. This collection was not offered to the State but was the subject of a proposal for a James Joyce Centre at Sandycove, County Dublin, to be developed by the Eastern Regional Development Organisation in association with the James Joyce Foundation Ltd.
The proposal was examined by Bord Fáilte in consultation with the other interests concerned and as a result the board recommended the giving of a guaranteed loan by me under the Tourist Traffic Acts in respect of 60 per cent of the moneys required to finance the project. In addition, the board were willing to provide interest grants in respect of the loan. In September, 1970, I agreed in principle to the giving of the guarantee but a definite proposal on these lines has not emerged.
It now appears that this collection has been donated to a university in the United States.