Vol. 503 No. 2
81 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, made regarding the provision of a military museum; if the military board appointed to identify the military artefacts for the museum has completed its summary; and, if so, its findings in this regard. [9425/99]
Following the opening of phase 1 of the Collins Barracks Museum facility, it was considered essential by the caretaker board of the National Museum of Ireland that an exhibition strategy for the complete site be formulated to address the specific needs and plans of the museum in the future. To this end a firm of international consultants which were engaged by the then Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, prepared an exhibition strategy for that Department.
Discussions took place between the military authorities, officials of the National Museum of Ireland and the consultants and agreement in principle was reached regarding the establishment of a military museum section in the National Museum complex at Collins Barracks. My Department is pursuing the matter with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands with a view to advancing the project.
The military board which was established to identify military artefacts has been working on tabulating the current Defence Forces holdings of such and this work is at an advanced stage. These items include weapons from small arms to artillery pieces, armoured vehicles, transport vehicles, uniforms, militaria and monuments. Items of this material will be available for display in the proposed military museum section of the National Museum complex at Collins Barracks, as appropriate. The sourcing of further military artefacts for the military section of the National Museum will require some more detailed research and contact with foreign military institutions. Already, firm offers of support and material have been received from several military museums abroad which have material relating to Irish soldiers. It is envisaged that these items will provide the focus for the proposed "History of Irish Soldiers in Foreign Armies" section.
