Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if recently discovered artefacts or objets d'art have been put on display in local or national museums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22635/03]
Written Answers. - National Museum.
In respect of museums, I wish to emphasise that I have statutory responsibility for the National Museum of Ireland only. Objects of archaeological or historical interest that are discovered with no known owner, are taken possession of and retained by the National Museum of Ireland under the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994 on behalf of the State. All acquisitions made by the national museum, including the large number of objects discovered in the course of archaeological excavations, are fully documented and analysed. These objects frequently require treatment in a conservation laboratory before they can be made available for display.
The National Museum of Ireland endeavours to display recently discovered acquisitions as regularly as possible. Newly acquired decorative art objects are regularly placed on display at the national museum site at Collins Barracks. At the Kildare Street premises, an exhibition entitled Ten Years Collecting, documents and displays archaeological objects recovered in Ireland during the past decade. In addition, the National Museum of Ireland has also recently placed on display the late 8th or early 9th century cross from Tully Lough, County Roscommon, as part of the treasury in Kildare Street.