National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997

Authorised repositories of Boards.

16.—(1) In this section “authorised repository of a Board” means, in relation to a Board, the premises specified in column (2) of the First Schedule opposite the mention of the Board in column (1) thereof.

(2) Subject to sections 17 , 18 and 47 , a Board shall keep the museum heritage objects or, as the case may be, library material comprised in the collection of the Museum or Library, as the case may be, within the authorised repository of the Board, except in so far as it may consider it expedient to remove them temporarily for the purposes of research, restoration, security or preservation.

(3) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, and, after consultation with the Commissioners, by order amend the First Schedule by the addition to column (2) thereof of a reference to any premises as the Minister considers appropriate.

(4) The Minister may by order amend or revoke an order under this section including an order under this subsection.

(5) A person who removes a museum heritage object or, as the case may be, library material, comprised in the collection of the Museum or Library, as the case may be, from an authorised repository of the Board other than for a purpose specified in subsection (2), sections 17 , 18 or 47 , shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, and

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.