To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to make a statement on the future of maritime heritage.

Maritime Heritage is a broad area and any statement I can make on the future can only be in relation to those aspects for which my Department has policy responsibility. In the main these relate to the conservation, preservation and display of artefacts held by National Museums Northern Ireland. National Museums have an extensive and significant maritime collection relating to the Harland and Wolff shipyards, plus a number of vessels including the Result which is on display in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. These collections are either on display or will be displayed as part of wider maritime and industrial exhibitions in the future.

We are committed to making the treasures held by our museums more accessible to the public and in that regard I have asked my Department, through National Museums Northern Ireland to give priority consideration to the development of a Maritime Museum.

Beyond that we have also accepted the role of assisting DCMS appoint a Northern Ireland representative to the National Historic Ships Advisory Committee. That process is in train.