Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the heating system in the National Library will be replaced with an air conditioned system, similar to the effective system in operation at the Berkeley Library in Trinity College; if it is included in the work being carried out on the library at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31206/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There are no immediate plans to replace the heating system in the National Library with air conditioning. The Berkely Library in Trinity College is a modern building and very different from the National Library in Kildare Street, which is a very old building (built in 1890) and a protected structure. Buildings such as the National Library pose significant challenges in balancing conservation needs with the provision of services such as air conditioning.

When undertaking any new projects in the National Library, the Commissioners of Public Works assess the feasibility of installing air conditioning and if practical, install it, e.g., the former NCAD building. The new Book Repository, which is the top priority for the National Library, will be air conditioned.