Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Senator for raising this extremely important issue. I agree that these artefacts should, where possible, be given to the community.

As Fáilte Ireland has stated, they must be safe and protected. We have too many artefacts in storage. Recently a gun was given back to the Mountbatten family after 40 years. Artefacts should be displayed and given to the community where possible. As the Cathaoirleach knows with regard to Turlough House, artefacts found in our county are in safe storage in Dublin. Where possible, artefacts should be displayed in the county in which they were found.