Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

All I can do is ask the relevant authorities to make inquiries about these matters. There are various conventions in place in respect of such matters. We have not yet ratified the two main conventions in this area. The general scheme of the monuments Bill, which is in the process of being submitted to Government by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, contains heads in regard to the ratification of those two conventions. The property rights of families and individuals must be respected. Where property rightly belongs to a person or family, Governments must respect this, and where there are artefacts in cultural or other institutions abroad, it is open to our national cultural institutions to seek material for exhibition purposes. The London Metropolitan Police will provide on loan to the National Museum some time after Christmas a sword belonging to Roger Casement. These loans are made on the basis that the property will be returned.

The Deputy has mentioned some specific items. If there are other specific items he has in mind, I will arrange for the relevant national cultural institution to respond directly to him.

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