Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which available museum space throughout the country is sufficient to accommodate the display of all items of historical significance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24817/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of items of historical significance discovered or made available to the National Museum in each of the past five years; if all such items are on display, locally or nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24818/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together.

The National Museum of Ireland is the only museum displaying historical artefacts which is under the aegis of my Department. 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 all operational matters concerning its collection. Therefore the acquisition and display of artefacts by the National Museum of Ireland is a matter for that institution and I have requested the National Museum of Ireland to respond directly to the Deputy