Another Spending Controversy Arises As Over €120,000 Spent On An Unused Scanner In The National Gallery

Tuesday, 25 February 2025 09:39

By Hannah Kelly

National Gallery in Dublin. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

It's been lying idle since 2017 as it doesn't fit in any room

Another spending controversy has arisen within Government.

It's emerged over €120,000 was spent on a scanner for the National Galley which has never been used.

It's been lying idle since 2017 as it doesn't fit in any room.

In November 2017, the National Gallery purchased an x-ray system valued at €124,805 as part of the Digital Investigative Imaging Project.

The equipment was described as essential to the process of examining the gallery's paintings in a non-destructive way.

The issue will likely be discussed at Cabinet today as the Minister for Arts Patrick O'Donovan is bringing the annual report of the National Gallery to the Government.

The Gallery is now looking at using the scanner as a "mobile unit on-site" and it could come into use later this year.

Tánaiste Simon Harris says it's a disgrace, adding that "it's really important that the Government is briefed by the Minister on this matter today".

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