Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has considered the possibility of transferring some or all of the items which are currently on display in the Natural History Museum to some of the other national museums for display during the period which the Natural History Museum is closed for repairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35067/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Natural History Museum is an Institution much-loved by both adults and children and I am anxious that the public would not, if possible, be deprived of its displays for the duration of the period necessary for its repair and redevelopment.

Since the National Museum of Ireland became an autonomous statutory body under the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 on 3rd May 2005, the Board of the National Museum is statutorily responsible for operational matters concerning its collection. In discussions with the Chairman of the Board and the Director of the National Museum of Ireland, I have emphasised the importance of alternative viewing arrangements during the duration of the refurbishment period. The National Museum of Ireland is considering the possibility of displaying a selection of the exhibits currently in the Natural History Museum elsewhere in the National Museum's facilities during the period in question. While consideration of this is at an early stage, I understand that a number of locations within the National Museum, in Dublin and at the Museum of Country Life in Turlough Park in Co. Mayo, are being assessed for use as display areas for a selection of these exhibits.

The National Museum of Ireland also intends to carry out long-needed conservation works on many of the exhibits in the Natural History Museum and the opportunity to address this work that is provided by the closure of the Museum for repairs and redevelopment will be fully utilised.