asked the Minister for Finance whether he has any information to give the House in relation to the reports that Tara, County Meath, may be purchased by outside interests; and if he will indicate his attitude in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Tara.
10.
The Commissioners of Public Works are owners in fee simple of 43 acres, 2 roods and 25 perches of lands on the Hill of Tara. This area was acquired from the Land Commission in 1954 and contains Rath na Rí and Rath Laoghaire. The remainder of the lands on the Hill, about 70 acres, is owned privately. On those lands are situated The Rath of the Synods, the Banqueting Hall, Rath Gráinne and the Sloping Trenches.
Between 1954 and 1962 the Commissioners of Public Works were negotiating with the owners for the purchase of their holdings, and subsequently Bord Fáilte endeavoured to acquire the lands, with a view to having the site transferred to the Commissioners.
The Hill of Tara is the subject of two Guardianship Deeds dated 1908 and 1922 respectively which, I am advised, afford adequate protection to the site. It is an offence in law punishable by fine or imprisonment or both to disfigure, deface, alter, or in any way interfere with the archaeological remains or to excavate, dig, plough or otherwise disturb the ground on the Hill without the consent of the Commissioners.
The National Monuments Act, 1930, gives power to the Commissioners to acquire the site compulsorily, in which event the price to be paid would be determined by an arbitrator.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether or not he is prepared to have the service of an arbitrator obtained for the purpose of fixing a price for Tara?
As the Deputy will know from the recent statement, we are considering that matter.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say whether it is likely to be decided in the near future, because there is a lot of public unrest about it?
What is the public unrest about?
The fact it appears as if the Government, Bord Fáilte and various other people over the years have been attempting to acquire this by purchasing at what is not considered by the owner to be a fair price. It is now thought that it will pass out of the hands of the present owner to a foreigner. Will the Parliamentary Secretary take the necessary steps now rather than in two years' time when it will be much more difficult to do so?
The Commissioners are acutely aware of their responsibilities and will take the appropriate action in this matter.
At some time.