asked the Taoiseach if he has given consideration to the establishment of an Irish Theatre Museum.

I believe that this would be a matter for consideration by the Arts Council pursuant to their statutory role in relation to theatre. There is already in existence an Irish Theatre Archive which is housed in the City Hall, Dublin, and contains a large collection of Irish theatre memorabilia.

This is an obvious case where this blossoming can take place if there is a will to allow it. As the Taoiseach is aware the people in the Irish Theatre Archive have done an excellent job. I understand they now have a collection comprising 17,000 items dating back over a long period. As the Taoiseach is also aware, there is the entire facade of the old Abbey Theatre lying in a backyard in Dalkey awaiting some attention. In view of this and the fact that Dublin will be the Cultural Capital of Europe in 1991, would the Taoiseach not consider funding this archive so that we would have an official Irish Theatre Archive in full blossom by 1991 instead of having it based in temporary headquarters as at present?

The best thing I can do is to convey the thrust of the Deputy's remarks to the Arts Council and ask them to consider them.

In the meantime, would the Taoiseach consider making some funds available to the Irish Theatre Archive who are doing a lot of work in temporary headquarters and are not funded from any official source?

As the Deputy knows, I have sought to divest myself from any direct responsibility for aid in these areas. I think that is the right way to proceed.

The Taoiseach had nothing to do with this outburst of cultural creativity?

No, I think Deputies would agree it would be better that any assistance being given should be channelled through the expert agencies established for this purpose.

Is the Taoiseach involved or not?

He is the inspiration.

I am very much involved.

Is he the outburst——

My main function which I discharge very adequately and very competently——

He is the Holy Ghost.

——is to make sure that these agencies are properly equipped and funded to do the work they do. After that, I am very happy to leave it to their expert judgment and decision because when it comes to the arts there is great scope for a difference of opinion as to the merits of different proposals. I very wisely leave it to the expert bodies to decide.

Deputy Gay Mitchell is offering.

A final supplementary. As the Taoiseach is aware from past experience in a whole range of areas, an indication of his interest in a particular subject is a great incentive to people to act on it, so would the Taoiseach give an indication of his interest in the setting up of a National Theatre Museum and perhaps results might follow from that?

We are having repetition.

In view of that flattery from the Deputy, I have no alternative but to say I will do all I can.

This is insufferable.

With regard to the memorabilia available in the archives in Dublin City Hall, will the Taoiseach tell the House if it is available for viewing by the public, particularly by tourists visiting the city.

I am not so aware, but the Deputy is a member of that august body himself.

I am not yet answering questions in the House.

Perhaps the Deputy would be more familiar with that scene than I am, but I will ask the Lord Mayor about it.

I suggest that the Taoiseach do it soon because he will not be there much longer.