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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 Nov 1989

Vol. 393 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Museum.

18.

asked the Minister for Defence if he or the Defence Forces have any proposals to establish and open to the public a military museum; if so, if he will outline the details of such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The question of establishing a military museum is still under consideration. However, having regard to the nature of the undertaking and the substantial resources involved in such a task, a decision on the matter is unlikely in the near future.

As Deputy Quinn is not in the House I would like to ask the Minister if he is aware that in Cork there is a group of ex-servicemen who are very active in promoting a military museum? They have been in contact with the Department of Defence and I would ask the Minister if he would consider their proposition to site any such museum in Cork?

Certainly I am aware of what the Deputy has stated and that is being considered. In fact, we have always facilitated regional groups who have sought to establish such museums. For example, there is a very good one in Donegal and one is now being considered in Cork.

Would the Minister, pending the solution about the setting up or otherwise of a museum, ask the command to ensure that any of the artefacts that may turn out to be useful or valuable for such a museum would not be destroyed in the meantime and would be preserved?

I will bring what the Deputy has stated to the attention of the military authorities. I know there is a feeling within the military authorities that this should be the case. In case everybody is not aware of it I will certainly do that.

I would like to ask the Minister if, in the context of considerations regarding the location of a military museum, his Department have considered the location of such a museum in the Curragh in relation to which I put down a parliamentary question to his predecessor some time ago?

Yes, indeed, I was down in the Curragh recently. We should centralise a lot more of the Army activities and the whole history and ethos of the Army in the Curragh. We have ample space for development and planning there in a proper way. I will certainly consider it.

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