Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I hope I am giving the figures based on the tours that are specifically booked in. There may well be some numbers based on the fact that Collins Barracks houses much more than the Natural History Museum. I understand, although I stand to be corrected, that the consistent booking of school tours etc. is very high and that they like the way the exhibition has become much more accessible in Collins Barracks.

Deputy Upton is right that there was a major capital programme which would have transformed the Natural History Museum after which it would have borne no resemblance to what it is now. All those involved in running the Natural History Museum, the Office of Public Works and the National Museum want to secure the existing museum in its present location, covering the points that Deputy Mitchell raised to make it safe. We probably all agree that we were very lucky in what happened because there could have been a very different outcome. The work is being done and will be completed soon. It will deliver a good quality project. The achievement of the Natural History Museum in the UK, which is a most beautiful building, apart from its contents, demonstrates that a large volume of tourists and cultural visitors from around the country have a great interest in natural history. I would like to see that project carried out in the fullness of time, if it is not achievable in the short term. I would like to see it come back into the frame ultimately.

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