Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2016
195. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason her Department or any bodies under its aegis are not purchasing the final order of surrender by Pádraig Pearse in Easter 1916; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35650/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her Department has considered purchasing the original Pearse surrender letter on behalf of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35653/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
There exist a number of historically important original documents in the possession of the State written by Pádraig Pearse during the 1916 Rising and during his subsequent imprisonment. Following consultation with the relevant institutions under the aegis of my Department, it is a shared view that the amount being sought for this one letter – between €1m and €1.5m - was not justifiable in terms of expenditure of public monies and in the context of historical material already held.
