Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will get to that issue in one minute. My Department has also been working closely with the newly appointed director of the library, Dr. Sandra Collins, to address its needs in terms of resources and investment. By working together we intend to begin to address the most pressing needs of the library in the coming years. The outgoing board stated the building on Kildare Street needed substantial investment and that the Victorian construction gave rise to particular safety concerns as it would not meet modern construction environmental and fire safety standards. I am very aware of these issues which are a priority. The final details of the plan will be announced in due course, but I do not have the figure the Deputy sought.

In respect of the Seamus Heaney exhibition, the Bank of Ireland is making space available to the State for a ten-year period and this will cover the cost of refurbishment. My Department is working with the library on the final cost of the exhibition. It is good that this exhibition of Heaney's work will be made available in a particularly good location in the centre of the city.

See this speech in context