Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The national cultural institutions under the aegis of my Department manage important collections of art and other artefacts on behalf of the State. While my Department provides funding to these institutions the board of each institution is responsible for all operational matters, including security arrangements and procedures and I have no statutory function in respect of such matters. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that the security of the collections is a matter which is routinely kept under review by all of the institutions. My Department maintains appropriate contact with them on the subject of their security measures and the arrangements in place to ensure the protection of the collections in their care.

My Department owns several pieces of art and other artefacts in its own right in a number of properties. In light of a recent incident involving the loss of several items held in private storage on behalf of my Department I instructed as follows: that an inventory and physical check take place in respect of all artwork, furniture and other similar items held by my Department; in cases where any such art and other artefacts were held in storage, they should be moved to secure State facilities; and that a review be carried out of the procedures and protocols in place relating to the storage of art and artefacts by my Department. All of these actions have been completed. Separately, the Office of Public Works is responsible for the care and management of art pieces in a wide range of State properties.

See this speech in context