Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 4

Written Answers. - Archive Sale.

Declan Bree

Ceist:

99 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an important archive, including the complete file of The Workers Republic newspaper, original manuscripts and materials by its editor, James Connolly, with a large collection of other manuscript materials, typescripts, news cuttings and advertisements, is due to be sold by auction in Dublin on 4 and 5 December 1996; the steps, if any, which have been taken to ensure that the collection does not leave the country and further to ensure that the collection is taken into public ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23526/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I am aware that a collection of papers associated with James Connolly is due to be auctioned this week. I understand that the collection includes a partial file of the original of the newspaper The Workers' Republic, a complete file of which is in the National Library, and that the remainder of the collection includes annotated printed items and handwritten items, almost all of which were published in The Workers' Republic newspaper. I understand that the National Library intends to bid for the collection.