Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the Natural History Museum will re-open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32239/09]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the Natural History Museum will re-open; the cost of reinstatement works in the building; if the refurbishment works will be adequate to ensure the museum does not need further refurbishment works in several years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32334/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 42 together.

A programme of works for the Natural History Museum, agreed between the National Museum of Ireland, the Office of Public Works and my Department, is under way. It is designed to facilitate the reopening of the museum in as short a timeframe as possible, having regard to the need to meet key health and safety concerns.

The programme includes work to facilitate appropriate fire evacuation procedures, the reinstatement of the stone staircase, the installation of safety netting under the glass ceiling, the introduction of a ramp to the front door to facilitate disabled access and works of a minor nature relating to decoration and presentation. The total cost is estimated at approximately €265,000.

As this programme of works and the tasks the museum will have to undertake in preparation for re-opening will take longer to complete than originally anticipated, the re-opening date has been deferred to early 2010.

In the meantime, an exhibition of artefacts from the Natural History Museum is showing in the riding school at the National Museum, Collins Barracks. This exhibition showcases key items from the Natural History Museum's collection, thereby allowing the public access to some of the collection in advance of the re-opening of the Natural History Museum in Merrion Street. This exhibition has proved very popular among visitors.

With regard to the need for further works at the Natural History Museum, the position, as I stated in my reply on 28 January 2009 to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 102 and 110, is that an extensive refurbishment-redevelopment plan has been drawn up for the museum but this major project is outside the scope and capacity of current budgets.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Given that originally very extensive work on the museum was planned, it now sounds as if a few nails and a ball of string are being put into operation. Stories about nets to catch falling glass from the dome and that the upper floors have had to be closed for health and safety reasons turn one's blood cold. Is the Minister sure this will work? Will the museum staff be given the assurances on health and safety they are seeking?

One of the objectives of these renovation works, apart from increasing the size of the exhibition areas, was to provide accessible toilets for disabled museum visitors. How much of the building will be accessible as it seems it will have less space when re-opened? What is the position on the additional storage sites that were to be located in Swords?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The type of refurbishment the staff and others wanted is going ahead and should be completed in another month. Ironically, the exhibition in Collins Barracks has been successful with many school tours booked in for this exhibition. As a result, the museum does not want to move before Christmas. It is believed the best time to move was February. Visitor numbers are up for the museum because of the exhibition's accessibility and imaginative content. I congratulate all involved, in particular the museum's director, Mr. Pat Wallace. The disability issues are being dealt with. There will be access and I presume also access to bathroom facilities.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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What about the storage?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The storage was sourced in Swords. I believe that has been done. The access to that storage is important and I have no note to suggest that it will not go ahead. I can check up on that for the Deputy.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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There has been a substantial drop. A total of €15 million was set aside originally and I think the Minister mentioned a figure of €265,000. That is a huge cut compared with what might have been available.

He might have answered the second part of my question about the number of visitors. Did he say it has gone up relative to the number that used to visit, which I think was 150,000 a year?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Strange as it might as it might seem - or maybe it is not strange, maybe I am using the wrong language - the numbers are very healthy and stronger-----

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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My question is would some of those visitors have been visiting Collins Barracks anyhow? That would have been a separate cohort of visitors. I presume the Minister is including the total number of visitors. There would have been visitors to Collins Barracks and to the Natural History Museum.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I hope I am giving the figures based on the tours that are specifically booked in. There may well be some numbers based on the fact that Collins Barracks houses much more than the Natural History Museum. I understand, although I stand to be corrected, that the consistent booking of school tours etc. is very high and that they like the way the exhibition has become much more accessible in Collins Barracks.

Deputy Upton is right that there was a major capital programme which would have transformed the Natural History Museum after which it would have borne no resemblance to what it is now. All those involved in running the Natural History Museum, the Office of Public Works and the National Museum want to secure the existing museum in its present location, covering the points that Deputy Mitchell raised to make it safe. We probably all agree that we were very lucky in what happened because there could have been a very different outcome. The work is being done and will be completed soon. It will deliver a good quality project. The achievement of the Natural History Museum in the UK, which is a most beautiful building, apart from its contents, demonstrates that a large volume of tourists and cultural visitors from around the country have a great interest in natural history. I would like to see that project carried out in the fullness of time, if it is not achievable in the short term. I would like to see it come back into the frame ultimately.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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If we ever reinstate the national development plan the National Museum and the Natural History Museum must be priorities for investment.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy. I see two essential projects, about which the Deputies might agree with me, the Natural History Museum, and the National Library, which is also adjacent to this House. It is a priority. I have recently been through the library, from its bowels to the work being done. To be kind, it is unsatisfactory.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It is frightening.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The value of the artefacts and historical items stored is immeasurable.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have been telling the Minister that for years.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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When I was in the Office of Public Works I was involved in some of the earlier work undertaken there. We need that project and the storage facilities for some of the artefacts.