asked the Minister for Education the terms on which the Cook collection was given to the National Museum; if he is aware of the objections of the Board of Trinity College, Dublin to the sending abroad of this collection; and when this collection will be returned to Ireland.

Items collected during the voyages of Captain Cook were included in material transferred to the National Museum by Trinity College, Dublin in the last century. Some of the items were given to the National Museum without condition. Others were given subject to the conditions that Trinity College could at any time reclaim them and that they would not be removed from the National Museum without the consent of the Board of Trinity College. Inadvertently four of the objects which were subject to these conditions were loaned by the National Museum to the Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii without the consent of Trinity College. The objects were returned to the National Museum on 13 February 1979.

Can the Minister indicate if and when the Cook collection will be returned to Ireland?

I would ask the Deputy to be more specific. Strictly speaking there is no collection which can be described precisely as the Cook collection. If the Deputy would indicate to me specific items he has in mind I will get precise information for him.

From the group of objects referred to in the reply to this question; is it intended to return this group of objects to Ireland?

I have indicated that the four items in question have already been returned.

No, the other items.

What other items?

In the group that has been loaned.

Perhaps I may help the Deputy by indicating to him— inadvertently four of the objects subject to these conditions were loaned by the National Museum to the Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii, without the consent of Trinity College. The objects were returned to the National Museum on 13 February 1979.

I will give the Deputy some information I have here in respect of what is described as the Cook collection. There is no such entity as the Cook collection. Some items removed from their native territories were given at various dates and by various donors to Trinity College. These collections, together with other specific material, not associated with Cook, were transferred to the National Museum on three dates, 1882, 1885 and 1894. Some were given outright, some were deposited and some, especially the 1894 group, were given on loan. The 1882 group of objects included Peruvian and Mexican pottery, Chinese musical instruments, some ethnographical objects and a collection of insects. The material was presented to the National Museum apparently without condition. If the Deputy would indicate to me what of that collection is still causing him concern I will be happy to get that information for him.

Is the Minister satisfied that the board of Trinity College, Dublin are satisfied?

I am, and I would say, in deference to Trinity College, they were right to indicate that the items should not have been removed without their assent, without consultation with them. I have written to them expressing my regret that these requirements were not met, indicating that I have taken steps to ensure it will not recur.