Patrick McCartan
Ceist:12 Mr. McCartan asked the Taoiseach when the reports of the Board of Visitors of the National Museum for 1990 and 1991 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Museum Reports.
Neither of the reports in question has been received in my Department. I look forward to receiving these reports and entering into discussion with the museum's Board of Visitors as well as its Director and staff on ways to facilitate the National Museum to the greatest extent practicable to discharge their various functions.
I will be more polite to the Minister of State if that is what is needed. Will he advise the House as to why it took three years for the modest — although critical and crucial — report of the board of governors for 1989 to be published? Why did it take three years to put together a 53-page document? Will he also indicate when the reports for 1990 and 1991 will be published? Is it the intention of his Department to suppress their publication because, no doubt, they contain equally critical, if not constructive, comments on the way our National Museum is run?
The 1990 report is at present being printed and the report for 1991 is still in the course of preparation. The Board of Visitors are awaiting draft texts for the report on various divisions. The museum gave a grant of £2,000 for publication of the report. The Deputy's question is valid and I will endeavour to ensure that the report will be available shortly.
Is it possible that the staff vacancies in the museum have anything to do with the delay in the production of the report?
That is a matter for the report which I am anxiously awaiting. It is a very unsatisfactory situation not to have the 1991 report. Perhaps they will ensure that 1990 and 1991 will be covered in one volume.
Will the Minister of State consider the possibility of using the telephone to inquire from the museum whether the delay in the production of this report is due to staff vacancies? Perhaps he will enter the 20th century in regard to that means of communication?
Sometimes the same Deputy would complain if I used the telephone.
No.
I put it to the Minister of State that it is more the content of the reports than the absence of staff to publish them that is the cause with the delay. I accept he has no particular responsibility for the 1989 report, but does he have any explanation why it took two years and some months for that particular report to be published?
I thought we had that question earlier.
Perhaps my reply to the next question will be of some help.
Question No. 13, please.