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. I do not have a statutory function in respect of such matters. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that the security of the collections is routinely kept under review by all of the institutions. My Department maintains appropriate contact with them on their security measures and the arrangements in place to ensure the protection of the collections in their care. My Department has written to all national cultural institutions twice so far in 2013 regarding security matters.

I am happy to give an update in respect of items in the ownership of my Department. As the Deputy will know, the Garda Síochána has been investigating the loss of a number of items held in private storage on behalf of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Earlier today, gardaí assisted by members from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation made an arrest on foot of the theft of paintings and other items from a storage facility in Limerick. A man has been taken to Shannon Garda station, where he is being detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. The Garda has confirmed today that further planned searches are being carried out in the Limerick area following this arrest. Deputies will appreciate that as this is an active investigation, I cannot comment on operational matters which are fully within the remit of the Garda. They will further appreciate that when an active investigation is under way, we must all be careful and judicious in our comments and actions. Nothing that is said or done should frustrate the ongoing investigation in any way. This is an extremely serious matter. I have instructed my Department to continue to give every possible assistance to the Garda to help to return these items to the State.

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