Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I want now to speak about three particular institutions desperately in need of investment. I accept this is not the fault of the current Minister as this is his first week in the job. However, it is a matter to which he will have to pay attention. The three institutions are the National Archives, the National Library and the National Museum. The lack of investment in these institutions is simply unforgivable. All of them have been promised funding. As all three institutions are on the receiving end of a conveyor belt of artefacts and written material, their main problem is lack of storage space. The Minister will be aware that the National Archives is responsible for conserving and making accessible every public document. However, it simply cannot do this within the existing premises which is basically a biscuit factory.

I recently visited the National Library. While I had heard about the manner in which books are being stored, I was shocked to see it. It is a tinderbox. We will lose 700 years of written and photographic material with one spark in that building. The National Library must receive funding immediately. The Minister will be aware that it must take in every book printed, yet it does not have the storage capacity to do this.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's recently published report on the National Museum made frightening reading. The problem at the museum has worsened due to the unearthing by the National Roads Authority of many artefacts. There is nowhere for these artefacts to be stored. Some of them are being stored outdoors. Work on rebuilding the fallen staircase and other refurbishment works cannot commence as there are no staff available to conserve the artefacts and ensure they are moved to safe locations. Something has to be done in terms of storage in these buildings, if nothing else. The issue of shared storage was referred to in the national development plan. One, or all three, projects must be brought forward. I understand work in this regard falls to the Office of Public Works which has many people calling on its services. It is up to the Minister to drive the projects forward.

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