Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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13. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has been in contact with the British Imperial War Museum in relation to a National Flag captured in Limerick in 1916, with a view to having it returned to Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23549/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the Limerick City Museum has been in direct contact with the Imperial War Museum in London regarding the possible loan of the flag referred to by the Deputy. In addition, there already has been very beneficial co-operation between the National Museum and the Imperial War Museum, including in relation to existing exhibitions in Collins Barracks.

I also recently visited the Imperial War Museum in London and discussed the general issue of loans. The Director of the Museum stated that she was happy to work with authorities here in Ireland in relation to the loaning of material between relevant institutions.

To ensure better coordination on issues of loans, my Department has now requested the National Museum to act as the central contact point to deal with loans between cultural institutions in Ireland and Britain during the course of the Decade of Commemorations.