Vol. 442 No. 3
181 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if any items of archaeological interest have been purchased by the National Museum since 1990; if so, from whom these were purchased; and the value in each case.
183 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the number of items of archaeological interest that have been voluntarily handed in to the museum authorities since 1990; and their estimated value.
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 181 agus 183 le chéile.
Thousands of items have come into the possession of the Museum since 1990 and the total paid out in this period, including purchases or finders rewards, amounted to some £207,000.
These acquisitions involved about 400 separate transactions, many of which consisted of more than one object. The vast majority were by way of voluntary donation for which finders rewards were paid. Other donations have included large numbers of objects from licensed archaeological excavations which would not involve any payments. A small number of objects were purchased by private treaty.
It would be contrary to assurances given in the past and would seriously damage the institution's capacity to acquire material in the future if the names of those concerned were publicised. Two purchases were made at public auction viz. a gold brooch costing £1,800 sterling in 1992 and a collection of pins and brooches for £1,230 sterling in 1994.
182 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if any items of archaeological interest have been seized by the National Museum authorities since 1990; if so, the value of these items; and if any of these items were subsequently returned to their owners.
I understand that in a number of cases since 1990 the Garda have placed archaeological objects in the safekeeping of the National Museum of Ireland. The objects in question were seized by the gardaí as evidence of offences committed under the National Monuments Acts, 1930-1987. Two such collections of antiquities were awarded to the National Museum by the courts under the Police Property Act. Other material is retained currently pending criminal or civil proceedings.
The Deputy will appreciate that in cases of this nature it would be inappropriate for me to supply more detailed information.
