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Updated to 23 October 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 506 of 2025)

National Cultural Institutions Act 1997
No. 11 of 1997

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
 Commencement Information
Ss. 1 - 3 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 4(1) in so far as it relates to proceedings under s. 49 25 July 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 328 of 1997), art. 2
Ss. 4(2) - (4) 25 July 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 328 of 1997), art. 2
S. 5 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 6(1) in so far as it relates to the repeal of the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act 1945 27 July 2015 National Cultural Institutions Act (Sections 6 and 49) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 336 of 2015), art. 2
S. 6(1) in so far as it relates to the repeal of s. 24 of the National Monuments Act, 1930 25 July 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 328 of 1997), art. 2
S. 6(1) in so far as it relates to the Dublin Theatres Act, 1786 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 6(2) in so far as it is not already in operation 27 July 2015 National Cultural Institutions Act (Sections 6 and 49) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 336 of 2015), art. 2
   
S. 6(2) in so far as it relates to s. 24 of the National Monuments Act, 1930 14 November 1998 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1998 (S.I. No. 438 of 1998), art. 2
S. 7 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
Ss. 8 - 13 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 14 in so far as it relates to the National Gallery 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 14 in so far as it does not relate to the National Gallery 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
Ss. 15 - 19 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 20 other than subsection (4)) in so far as it relates to Marsh's Library 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 (Commencement) Order, 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 20(4) 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
Ss. 21 - 25 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 26 in so far as it relates to the National Gallery 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 26 in so far as it is not already in operation 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 27 - 33 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 34 in so far as it relates to the National Gallery 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 34 in so far as it is not already in operation 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 35 in so far as it relates to the National Gallery 1 January 1998 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 3
S. 35 in so far as it is not already in operation 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 36 in so far as it relates to the National Gallery 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 36 in so far as it is not already in operation 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
Ss. 37 - 40 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 41 in so far as it relates to the National Gallery 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 41 in so far as it is not already in operation 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
Ss. 42 - 45 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 46 25 July 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 328 of 1997), art. 2
S. 47 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 48 in so far as it is not already in operation 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 48 in so far as it relates to paintings in the care of the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art 14 November 1998 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1998 (S.I. No. 438 of 1998), art. 2
S. 48 in so far as it relates to paintings in the care of the National Gallery 25 July 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 328 of 1997), art. 2
Ss. 49(1)(a) - (c) 27 July 2015 National Cultural Institutions Act (Sections 6 and 49) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 336 of 2015), art. 2
Ss. 49(1)(d), (e) 25 July 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 328 of 1997), art. 2
S. 49(2) 27 July 2015 National Cultural Institutions Act (Sections 6 and 49) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 336 of 2015), art. 2
S. 49(3) 25 July 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 328 of 1997), art. 2
S. 49(4) in relation to any document or painting 27 July 2015 National Cultural Institutions Act, (Sections 6 and 49) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 336 of 2015), art. 2
S. 49(5) in relation to 49 (1) (a), (b)  27 July 2015 National Cultural Institutions Act (Sections 6 and 49) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 336 of 2015), art. 2
Ss. 49(6) - (13) 25 July 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 328 of 1997), art. 2
S. 49(14) Not yet commenced. Requires a commencement order under S. 1(4)
S. 49(15) 27 July 2015 National Cultural Institutions Act (Sections 6 and 49) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 336 of 2015), art. 2
S. 50(1) in so far as it relates to s. 49(1)(d), (e) 25 July 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 328 of 1997), art. 2
S. 50(2) - (5) 25 July 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 328 of 1997), art. 2
S. 50 in so far as it is not already in operation 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 51 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
Ss. 52-59 Not yet commenced. Requires a commencement order under S. 1(4)
Ss. 60 - 63 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 64 other than para. (i) 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 64(i) 1 January 1998 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 3
Ss. 65-66 Not yet commenced. Requires a commencement order under S. 1(4)
S. 67 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
Ss. 68(1) 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 68(2)(a) 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 68(2)(b) 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
S. 68 other than (1), (2)(b) 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 69 2 June 1997 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 222 of 1997), art. 2
S. 70 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2
Sch. 1 3 May 2005 National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), art. 2

Amendments and other effects

How Affected Affecting Provision
Trans. of cert. functns. under. Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
  Arts and Culture (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 302 of 2002), arts. 1(2), 4(1) & schedule
S. 2(1) amended Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023), ss. 1, 234(a)
S. 6(1) commenced (in so far as it relates to the repeal of the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act 1945) National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Sections 6 and 49) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 336 of 2015), art. 2
S. 6(2) commenced (in so far as it is not already in operation) National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Sections 6 and 49) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 336 of 2015), art. 2
S. 7, brought into operation National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), o. 2 (a)
S. 9, museum establishment day appointed for the purposes of Bord Ard-Mhúsaem na Héireann (Establishment Day) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 220 of 2005), art. 2
S. 9, library establishment day appointed for the purposes of Bord Leabharlann Náisiúta na Héireann (Establishment Day) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 219 of 2005), art. 2
S. 29(3)(b)(i) amended Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (26/2023), ss. 1, 234(b)
S. 34 trans. of cert. functns. under. Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 (10/2011), ss. 1(2), 6, 9, 20 & Sch. 2 pt. 1
S. 43(1) trans. of cert. functns. under. Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 (10/2011), ss. 1(2), 6, 9, 20 & Sch. 2 pt. 1
S. 44(1) amended 1/2023, ss. 1(2), 14
S. 44(1) specified amount temporarily varied National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Section 44) (Variation of Indemnity Amount) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 86 of 2016), arts. 1(2), 2(1), (2)
S. 44(3) trans. of cert. functns. under. Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 (10/2011), ss. 1(2), 6, 9, 20 & Sch. 2 pt. 1
S. 44(5) am. Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 (10/2011), ss. 1(2), 6 & 83
S. 46(2) trans. of cert. functns. under. Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 (10/2011), ss. 1(2), 6, 9, 20 & Sch. 2 pt. 1
S. 49(1)(a)-(c), (2), (4) (in relation to any document or painting), (5) (in relation to (a) and (b) of ss (1)), (15) National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Sections 6 and 49) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 336 of 2015), art. 2
S. 48, 50, brought into operation National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), o. 2 (b)
S. 50 appl. 28/2000, ss. 1 (2), 68, 235
  28/2000, ss. 1 (2), 235
S. 50 delegation of functions National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Delegation of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. 669 of 2006), art. 2
S. 51, brought into operation National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 218 of 2005), o. 2 (a)
S. 62 am. 3/2000, s. 105 (1) (2)
S. 62, levy imposed 3/2000, s. 105 (1)
S. 62 (2A), subsec. ins. 3/2000, s. 106
S. 64 references construed National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Act 2015 (44/2015), ss. 5(1), 38(1)
S. 64 rep. 13/2001, ss. 2, 8, sch. 1
Ss. 65, 66, ss. substit. Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000 (28/2000), ss. 1 (2), 199
S. 66 rep. Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000 (28/2000), ss. 1 (3), 10 (2), sch. 2, pt. 1
Sch. 1 am. National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 226 of 2005), arts. 1(2), 2
Sch. 1, column 2 amended National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 758 of 2020), art. 2
  S.I. No. 335 of 2018, art. 2
Sch. 2 am. 11/2013, ss. 1(2), 72(1), sch. 6, item 21
Sch. 2 substit. National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Amendment To Second Schedule) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 640 of 2002), art. 2 & schedule

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 9 Bord Ard-Mhúsaem na Héireann (Establishment Day) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 220 of 2005)
  Bord Leabharlann Náisiúta na Héireann (Establishment Day) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 219 of 2005)
S. 16(3) National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 758 of 2020)
  National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 335 of 2018)
S. 16(3) National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 226 of 2005)
S. 44(3) National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Section 44) (Variation of Indemnity Amount) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 86 of 2016)
S. 45(1) National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Amendment To Second Schedule) Order 2002 (S.I. No. 640 of 2002)
S. 51(1) National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Delegation of Functions) (Export Licences - Paintings) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 335 of 2015)
  National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Delegation of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 669 of 2006)