TWO previously rather dry institutions are to get drink licences under new legislation published yesterday.
The National Cultural Institutions Bill establishes wide ranging structures for the National Museum and National Library and sets up statutory boards to manage their collections. It also provides for the granting of drink licences to the boards of the two institutions.
The Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins, said the Bill represented one of the most significant legislative initiatives, in cultural terms, that the Irish State has undertaken since its foundation. It marks a major step in establishing a modern structure within which our major cultural institutions will be enabled to thrive."
It provides for a register of significant cultural objects whose export from the State would be considered a serious loss. The Government will be empowered to curb or stop such exports, and acquire them by compulsory purchase.
Existing rules governing the export of paintings and old manuscripts will be strengthened and expanded to include the decorative arts.
The requirement for publishers to deposit copies of new books with the National Library will be extended to include other classes of library material.