Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 5

Written Answers. - National Museum.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

144 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the acquisition policy of the board of the National Museum; the plans, if any, she has for a change in this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The National Museum of Ireland operates as a constituent part of my Department, but is autonomous in the determination of its acquisition policy.

I am advised that the acquisition policy of the National Museum, in respect of the Irish antiquities division, and in accordance with statute and international practice, is to acquire all archaeol ogical objects required to be reported to the museum. In respect of the National History Museum division, the policy is to expand the geological and zoological collections to reflect new discoveries and developments both in Ireland and abroad. In respect of the art and industrial division, the policy is to selectively acquire materials to document the economic, social, political, military, industrial and economic history of Ireland and to document what is happening today for future generations. In respect of the Irish folklife division, the poicy is to selectively acquire artefacts which form part of the traditional way of living of Irish people in all its aspects.

Policy formulation is to become a function of the Board of the National Museum of Ireland once established under the provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997. At present a non-statutory caretaker board is in place.