asked the Minister for Finance if he will state in relation to the Hill of Tara, County Meath (a) for how long the Office of Public Works have an area of 50 acres or thereabouts in their possession as owners, (b) the amount received in rentals or fees for the lands over the period since ownership was established, (c) the expenses incurred in arranging lettings or otherwise in respect of these lands and (d) the net profit accruing to the State over the period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hill of Tara.
12.
The Commissioners of Public Works acquired an area of 43½ acres on the southern side of the Hill of Tara in June, 1954.
The lands have been let for sheep grazing each year since then, the total receipts to date being £2,451.
Outgoings in respect of rates, repairs to fences and advertising amounted to approximately £600, that is, about £1,850 less than the receipts.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider that the Board of Works in conjunction with Bord Fáilte should spend some of this money in developing Tara for the tourists? Thousands of tourists come there every year. There is nothing to be seen except a field. There are no toilet facilities and no amenities of any kind. I feel that while having the property at Tara they should do something about it.
That is a separate question.
The whole Tara area has to be thought of together. As the Deputy may recall I recently answered a question about a proposal to acquire a further portion of the Tara area but its development as a tourist centre is another matter.
In view of the profit that has been made, does the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that this should be an added incentive to the Board of Works to purchase the other end of it at a fair price?
That is what we are trying to do.
Any truth in the rumour you are going to sell it to the Yanks?