Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the plans being considered for the Natural History Museum's collection while the museum is being refurbished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4921/08]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made towards moving some of the items normally on display in the Natural History Museum to alternative sites for the period during which restoration works will be required on the Natural History Museum site on Merrion Square; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4759/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 135 together.

As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 35067/07 on the 18th December 2007, the Natural History Museum is a particularly popular institution with the public and I am anxious that they would not be deprived of the opportunity to view its exhibits for the duration of the period necessary for its repair and redevelopment, if at all possible. 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.

While the National Museum intends to utilise the refurbishment period to carry out conservation works on many of the exhibits and is currently developing a plan for the dismounting, documenting and storage of the exhibits, it is also considering the possibility of displaying elsewhere during the period in question a selection of the exhibits currently in the Natural History Museum. The National Museum has been carrying out an assessment of possible locations within its own premises to house these exhibits. It has also carried out a preliminary assessment of a number of locations external to the Museum. In assessing the suitability of these various venues, the Museum must ensure that the venue is suitable from a security and environmental control perspective and that public accessibility is appropriately provided for. I look forward to the Museum deciding on exhibition locations when it has completed its assessment of potential venues.