Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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329. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider a review of the artefacts in the possession of the State’s museums to identify artefacts that may have been obtained in foreign countries through illegal means such as colonial conquest; the measures that have been put in place to prevent the acquiring of such artefacts; if she will support a return of such artefacts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53268/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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In keeping with international best practice, the National Cultural Institutions have carefully developed policies in relation to the care and management of the national collections. Increasingly in recent decades, curatorial responsibilities require a constant consideration of ethics and the changing sensitivities with regard to the acquisition, holding and exhibition of historic artefacts. The exploitation of peoples abroad or the expropriation of their cultural artefacts would be a concern, whether dating from the historic past or occurring in more recent times. It should be noted that the dispersal of historic material cultural goods beyond their homelands of origin is not unusual and only a very small proportion of such items give rise to issues about their significance as national treasures, revered status, provenance or other concerns.

I am satisfied with the safeguarding arrangements for the consideration of any future acquisitions to the national collections and also with the integrity and commitment in the National Cultural Institutions to investigate and consider any enquiries that might be made relating to the historic context, interpretation or provenance of the collections.