Free for all

The announcement that the Government has found €2m to bolster funding at national cultural institutions is welcome even if it seems little more than a stop-gap measure.

The allocation came as the National Museum of Ireland and National Library expressed concerns about a shortfall in funding. It is believed the museum was to propose charging admission fees or the closure of th country’s four main museums from January 1 unless finances improved.

Like so many services or institutions across the country these wonderful facilities suffered greatly in the years after our economic collapse but hopefully we may be at the point when new investment might be considered. Let us hope so, because free access to these uplifting, rich, and citizen-owned resources is the mark of a civilised society.

It would be tragic if, when so much questionable information is available free online, sources of accurate, vouchsafed information were put beyond anyone’s reach by admission fees. They are, after all, the property of all Irish people, not just those who can afford to pay to view them.