Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is certainly not the Minister of State's fault but the Minister, Deputy Martin, and the Department have spectacularly avoided answering the only question that I asked on when construction will begin. All I can do is encourage the Department and say that I am sure they have the support of this House. The refurbishment of the National Gallery of Ireland led the way. It is a beautiful redevelopment showing what can be achieved with investment. Many of these institutions have never seen overall redevelopment. Promises have been made in the past and in many ways the Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027 capital plan is a political wish list. These developments are critical not only for artefacts but also for universal access and for audience safety.

The Minister of State mentioned Yeats. The six floors will provide an exhibition space for the Yeats and Heaney exhibitions and space for poets and writers. Speaking selfishly as a Dub, this would be an incredible hub for our city.

There is one other issue that I want to put on record. The NLI has a responsibility to collect every publication in the State. They also purchase and get donations of collections. They do not, however, have a similar right when it comes to digital online material. These Houses need to give them that right under the copyright Acts to collect and preserve our country's memory given that online websites disappear every day, including repeal the 8th amendment websites and marriage equality websites. They are all disappearing and creating a black hole in our country's memory. We need to give the library a right to collect online material before we lose our nation's memory.