Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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63. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she agrees that the Book of Kells should be in public ownership and available for all to access free of charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62376/22]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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My Department has no role in the governance of Trinity College Dublin or with respect to its collection.

My Department does however have oversight of the National Cultural Institutions (NCIs), the custodians of our national collection of historic artefacts and artworks. In keeping with international best practice, the NCIs have carefully developed policies in relation to the acquisition, care and management of the national collection, underpinned, where relevant, by their establishing legislation. The NCIs ensure that the unique artefacts and artworks in the national collection are displayed to the public free of charge.

More recently, the NCIs have been enhancing access to the national collection through the digitisation of the collection. The use of technology in this way is considered critical in facilitating greater access to the collection, beyond the limits of the physical buildings that house them, as well as creating opportunities to view sensitive artefacts and artworks which might not otherwise be suitable for public display.