Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reasons Ireland's membership to the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property has lapsed in the past two years; if a cost-benefit analysis was carried out to justify this decision not to pay the €16,300 annual contribution; if he will publish this analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42036/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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ICCROM, the International Centre for the Study of Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property was created by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) to promote conservation of monuments and sites of historical, artistic and archaeological interest. The benefits of ICCROM membership extend well beyond my Department, with staff of the Office of Public Works and many regional and local authorities availing of the resources on offer.

Discussions are ongoing regarding the continuation of Ireland's membership of ICCROM and any decision in this regard will have to take account of the reduced availability of resources in the current economic climate and the many competing demands for these resources.