Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 149: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism her views on the decision by the National Museum to lease a storage site (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14070/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Since the National Museum of Ireland became an autonomous statutory body under the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997, the Board of the Museum is statutorily responsible for operational matters concerning its collection and I, as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism do not have a statutory function in respect of operational matters.

However, having regard to the Museum's custodial, preservation and exhibition responsibilities in respect of its collections of Irish material heritage, culture and natural history, I understand that additional storage facilities were required to address concerns regarding the potential exposure of these collections to damage and decay. This matter was extensively addressed by the Public Accounts Committee in July 2008 as a result of the Special Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General earlier that year.

Whilst my Department requested the Office for Public Works to identify a suitable storage facility for this purpose, all negotiations in relation to the site were carried out by that Office, which has responsibility for providing accommodation for Government services and for managing and maintaining the State's property portfolio. The OPW have advised that they are satisfied that the lease secured represents good value for money and that as the owner of the premises was not amenable to disposing of his interest in the property, the purchase of the premises did not arise.

Any matters that may arise between the owner of the property and the National Asset Management Agency are outside the remit of my Department.