Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will make provision to compensate individuals, bodies corporate and institutions that received or purchased grants of arms during the period April 1943 to May 2005 when the State did not have legislative power to make such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23945/09]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will bring forward legislation to amend the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 regarding all pre-May 2005 grants of arms; if not, his views on accepting a National Cultural Institutions (Amendment Bill) 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23946/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together.

I am unaware of any corporate bodies or individuals, who were granted arms in the period between 1943 and 2005, that have any basis for compensation in respect of the grant of arms made in that period. The arms were granted and accepted at the time and continue to be recognised to this day. As my Department is preparing legislation which will amend the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 to give effect to the merger of the National Archives, the National Library of Ireland, and the Irish Manuscripts Commission it will also consider a specific amendment in relation to the arms granted during the period referred to by the Deputy.