John Bruton
Ceist:6 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if the review of staffing levels in the National Museum, announced by him on 25 October 1989, is complete; and if so, if he will outline the result.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Museum.
John Bruton
Ceist:7 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if the National Museum has finalised the plan for a new system of stocktaking and cataloguing of material in the national collections under its care; and if extra staff is required for the implementation of this plan.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
The staffing review, which obviously has significant cost implications, is not yet complete but as particular elements are agree they are being implemented. Interviews to fill six additional attendants posts have been held recently. Negotiations with staff representatives are underway in relation to the opening and staffing of a shop at the museum.
Four additional temporary professional assistants have been engaged specifically to stocktake and update the listing of acquisitions. As I indicated to the House on 25 October and 12 December 1989, the question of providing further staff and equipment will continue on a phased basis but must have regard to the severe limitations on public funds and staffing.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the upstairs portion of the Natural History Museum was closed to the public last week because there was no attendant available to supervise the collections? Will he agree, in the year in which we wish to promote tourism here, that the fact that part of the national collection is closed to the public because an attendant is not available to supervise the public visiting indicates mismanagement?
Resign, resign.
I suppose it is a resignation matter. I am not aware of the closure to which the Deputy referred but the position is that we are constantly reviewing the situation in regard to staff and, as I said, improving it very considerably. It is a matter for the museum authorities, of course, to decide what attendants will be present.
Is the Taoiseach satisfied that this material has been properly catalogued and that there is adequate stocktaking in the absence of adequate staff numbers currently in the museum?
I do not think there is anything further I can add. As I have said, the staffing review is not yet complete but certain elements of it will be put in place as soon as possible. There is a concentration on listing and stocktaking.
Would the Taoiseach agree to take a personal interest in this staffing problem in the National Museum or, alternatively to designate one of his Junior Ministers to do so?
No.
Does the Taoiseach not regard this as a matter of seriousness in view of the fact that we are proposing to take it on ourselves to uphold Dublin as a European City of Culture next year?
I have given the Deputy an outline of very considerable improvements which have been effected in the National Museum after decades of neglect, particularly in the period in which he and his colleagues were in office.
That is centralising all power to oneself and then doing nothing with it.