Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate what the Deputy is saying about the importance of having permanent exhibitions. The Yeats exhibition is a great success. It would be desirable to have a location for a permanent Joyce exhibition. We can investigate that.

One reason Dublin was designated was that its literature was not confined to a museum or one location and was a living part of the of the city. That so many people in Dublin read literature is of note. When Seamus Heaney brings out a new collection of poetry, it goes immediately to number one. That does not happen in other countries. Dublin has many book clubs and children enjoy reading. That is part of what we do. The One City, One Book idea is a case in point. Next year, Ghost Light by Joseph O'Connor will be chosen and this year A Picture of Dorian Gray was chosen. Designation was because literature, reading and writers are all over the city. I accept the Deputy's point on showcasing our Nobel laureates and all our other famous writers. I will certainly pursue that idea.

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