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

I thank the Deputy for acknowledging that, having raised this issue with me on many occasions. I am very concerned about the protection of the valuable archives and documents that are in the possession of the National Library, so I am pleased to be able to allocate €10 million to it. I was delighted to go to the library yesterday evening to launch its comprehensive 2016 plan, which focuses on the seven signatories. Personal documents and items relating to each individual signatory will be displayed as part of the library's 2016 exhibition. I acknowledge that and wish the staff of the library well. They have a great deal of work ahead of them as they face into this major project. I have seen the difficult working conditions in the basement with which staff have to contend. The Deputy has rightly raised this matter with me on a number of occasions. I am glad that phase 1 is under way. I hope it will bring about a huge improvement for staff.

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