The Director of the National Gallery of Ireland has said it is "working hard" to make the x-ray system which was at the centre of controversy in February, operational.
Dr Caroline Campbell made the comments at a press launch of the gallery's new major exhibition, featuring the work of Irish artists Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone.
The scanner was purchased by the National Gallery eight years ago for €124,805 but it has been unable to find a suitable room for the machine.
The revelation about the unused scanner was contained in the National Gallery's annual report which was brought to a meeting of the Cabinet by Minister for Arts Patrick O'Donovan earlier this year.
In the wake of the controversy, it was confirmed that officials could not find a place to put the scanner due to concerns about the "load-bearing capacity" of potential locations.
'We're working extremely hard on this'
Speaking at the launch today, Dr Campbell said: "We understand the feeling that has been expressed and we're working extremely hard on this."
The equipment had been described as essential for examining the gallery's paintings in a non-destructive way. When asked if the x-ray machine is on site, Dr Campbell said "part of the machine is here", and "we do want to have the equipment operational and that it's really important for us that this system works".
The machine contains a radioactive component, so it must be stored in a lead-lined room which absorbs the radiation.
Asked for more details regarding any potential location of the x-ray machine, Dr Campbell replied: "We have an operational system which is an x-ray cabinet and we have an e-tender process which is live for that at the moment, and I can't talk further about that as it is a live process."
In relation to the cabinet required to house the scanner, Dr Campbell said that the process it was tendering for was "for a cabinet, an x-ray cabinet and all the information is on the tender system".
She did not supply any additional information or details about the design or scale of the cabinet.
'Lead lined x-ray cabinet'
The details on the gov.ie e-tender site state that the National Gallery is seeking procurement of "a lead lined x-ray cabinet for the National Gallery of Ireland" and that the estimated value of it is €175,000.
The notice also states that the time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is 24 April.
In March, Dr Campbell confirmed that the extra spending would come from the National Gallery's own resources.
Dr Campbell was also asked about comments from Minister O'Donovan who said the x-ray system should be operational by the end of the year. She said "we are doing all we can to make it operational, and in as timely manner as we can".
"It's wonderful that the gallery is such a loved institution and it's important that we have this system operational and that people can come and enjoy their national gallery and celebrate great projects like the Hone and Jellett exhibition," she added.
