Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 42 together.

A programme of works for the Natural History Museum, agreed between the National Museum of Ireland, the Office of Public Works and my Department, is under way. It is designed to facilitate the reopening of the museum in as short a timeframe as possible, having regard to the need to meet key health and safety concerns.

The programme includes work to facilitate appropriate fire evacuation procedures, the reinstatement of the stone staircase, the installation of safety netting under the glass ceiling, the introduction of a ramp to the front door to facilitate disabled access and works of a minor nature relating to decoration and presentation. The total cost is estimated at approximately €265,000.

As this programme of works and the tasks the museum will have to undertake in preparation for re-opening will take longer to complete than originally anticipated, the re-opening date has been deferred to early 2010.

In the meantime, an exhibition of artefacts from the Natural History Museum is showing in the riding school at the National Museum, Collins Barracks. This exhibition showcases key items from the Natural History Museum's collection, thereby allowing the public access to some of the collection in advance of the re-opening of the Natural History Museum in Merrion Street. This exhibition has proved very popular among visitors.

With regard to the need for further works at the Natural History Museum, the position, as I stated in my reply on 28 January 2009 to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 102 and 110, is that an extensive refurbishment-redevelopment plan has been drawn up for the museum but this major project is outside the scope and capacity of current budgets.

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