Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 24: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any discussions with Trinity College Dublin regarding the possible return of the Book of Kells to the town of Kells, County Meath; and if he will outline his position on the matter. [33415/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy may be aware, Fáilte Ireland earlier this year allocated €2.7 million to Trinity College to develop a new setting for the Book of Kells exhibition within the grounds of the college. The proposal is to improve the overall visitor experience of the attraction including redesigned layout, increased space as well as the interpretation of the exhibition. The exhibition featured prominently in the recent itinerary of Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Ireland and the funding will allow the attraction to fully exploit the tourism potential of the exposure it received during that visit. I have not had any discussions with Trinity College on the issue referred to by the Deputy as the location of the Book of Kells is primarily a matter for the College.