asked the Minister for Finance (a) who was responsible for the issue of invitations to the official opening of Newgrange, County Meath, some months ago, and (b) why members or officials of Meath County Council, members of Meath Archaeological Society, local Deputies and Senators and representatives of the National Museum were not invited to be present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Invitations to Newgrange Ceremony.
14.
All the arrangements, including the issue of invitations, were made by the Eastern Tourism Organisation Ltd.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the statement he has just made is untrue? The Eastern Regional Tourism Organisation knew nothing about this, good, bad or indifferent, and were not even invited.
Arrangements were made between the Office of Public Works and the Eastern Regional Tourism Organisation that this organisation would handle the official notices. I should like to say that I regret the fact that public representatives from the County Meath area were not invited to the opening. I accept responsibility for that and I apologise for it.
The Eastern Regional Tourism Organisation knew nothing whatever about the official opening. It was the officials of the Parliamentary Secretary's Department who did this and as long as I am here I intend to see that it will not happen again.
I have given the House the correct information.
That is not the correct information. It is untrue, and I make that statement categorically.