Written answers

Tuesday, 26 February 2008

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

National Museum

9:00 pm

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he was consulted regarding the plans to use the Museum of Natural History building to house the Seanad during repair works; if so, the reason no mention of this plan was made in reply to Parliamentary Question No 118 of 12 February 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7562/08]

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on plans to use the Natural History Museum building to accommodate the Seanad during reconstruction works in Leinster House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7563/08]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 256 together.

The provision of accommodation for Seanad Éireann is a matter for the Office of Public Works whose remit includes responsibility for the acquisition and fitting out of accommodation for the Oireachtas and Government Departments and Offices.

As stated in my response to Parliamentary Question Number 118 of 12 February 2008, referred to by the Deputy, I am anxious that, during the period of repair and redevelopment of the Natural History Museum, the public should not be deprived of the opportunity to view the exhibits held by the Museum.

As pointed out by the Deputy, I did not refer in my response to that Parliamentary Question to the possibility of establishing a temporary Seanad Chamber in the Natural History Museum. The position is that the Office of Public Works advised my Department in the late afternoon of 12 February 2008 that it would be making a presentation to the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas in relation to a proposal to carry out structural repairs/improvements to the Seanad and to establish a temporary Seanad Chamber in the ground floor of the Natural History Museum. This information was conveyed to me later that afternoon, and after I had answered the parliamentary question. I understand that the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges are discussing a number of options with the OPW.

The management of the National Museum of Ireland is already developing a plan for the dismounting, documenting and storing of exhibits and is also considering the possibility of displaying a selection of exhibits elsewhere during the period of refurbishment.

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