The arrangement we have with the council is that they maintain the public park and we maintain the building. Deputy Brennan spoke, as he does most years, on the burial ground at Glendalough. He made a suggestion in regard to the proposal to extend the burial ground there. Glendalough is a site of major national importance from the historic, architectural, archaeological and scenic points of view, and it is the intention to preserve not only the visual ancient monuments but also possibly hidden sites and amenities in the area. Burials at national monuments are not regarded today as being in keeping with the proper care and presentation of monuments of outstanding merit. As Parliamentary Secretary in charge of this State organisation, charged with statutory responsibility to preserve national monuments and their amenities, I must uphold this position. Any further extension granted would last for only a very limited time and, as has been the experience to date, would in due course lead to further agitation for further extensions.
I would point out that our proposals in regard to Glendalough are not niggardly. The existing burials there are not helpful to any proper presentation of the national monuments and any extension of that would be regarded as inexcusable. Personally I am sympathetic with Deputy Brennan's suggestion but in the circumstances I hope he will understand that in the case of such an important national monument I feel obliged to uphold the views of the commissioners.
Deputy Crotty raised the matter of a railing at Kilkenny Castle which he said is unsafe. A guard to be mounted on this railing has been designed. It will make it safer and I hope to have it set very shortly.
Deputy Cooney spoke about plaques which he said should be affixed to national monuments to explain their history. During the debate on my last Estimate I said it was my intention to do this. The first consignment of plaques has been received and the plaques will be affixed to the monuments in the next few months. I share the Deputy's concern that some of our national monuments do not have rights of way to enable the public to visit them easily. This is a matter which I am looking into. In many cases we must rely largely on co-operation by the local authorities.
Deputy Coughlan spoke at some length about King John's Castle in Limerick and I should like to recount some of the background in relation to this monument. In November last Limerick Corporation wrote to the commissioners that an application for full planning permission for the construction of a function building had been received from the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited, who forwarded the relevant drawings and specifications. The Commissioners sent the drawings and specifications to the National Monuments Advisory Council for advice and observations and informed the corporation accordingly. The developers were advised at the same time of the functions of the National Monuments Advisory Council in the matter and of the action that had been taken by the commissioners.
Having examined the proposals, the National Monuments Advisory Council in December, 1971, wrote to Limerick Corporation pointing out that they considered the scheme undesirable in some respects and indicating that they would be prepared to discuss the matter and possible alternative proposals with the developers. I understand the National Monuments Advisory Council have not received a reply to that letter from Limerick Corporation. I would remind the Deputy that the Council is an independent body appointed by the Minister for Finance under the National Monuments Acts and is also a prescribed body under the Planning Acts. I think it unfair of Deputy Coughlan to abuse the Office of Public Works in this matter when the lack of progress in this case is entirely the responsibility of Limerick Corporation. The National Monuments Advisory Council are awaiting a reply to their letter of December, 1971.
With regard to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin and other churches, they are excluded from the operations of the National Monuments Acts. For example, the restoration of Holy Cross required a special Act of this Parliament and restoration work is being carried out on a diocesan basis. Any money advanced is refunded and we will conserve the building when reconstruction is completed.
Deputy Burke inquired about St. Colmcille's Church, Swords, and was anxious that it be re-roofed. Unfortunately, the commissioners do not restore national monuments—they merely conserve them. In the case of St. Colmcille's Church, there is a possibility that local interests may be prepared to put up the money required for restoration, over and above the costs of conservation. The Commissioners of Public Works are prepared to consider carrying out restoration work on a repayment basis for the local interests. In fact, I understand a sum of money has been raised.
In reply to Sir Anthony Esmonde, the Guide to the National Monuments of Ireland by Harbison is the only book of its kind now available for purchase. It has been widely praised and, in my opinion, it is a first class production.
In reply to Deputy Treacy, local authorities are bound under the National Monuments Acts to maintain national monuments of which they are the owners. In present circumstances it would not be feasible for the Commissioners of Public Works to ensure that each local authority honour their responsibilities. It is up to public representatives to see that they do. The National Parks and Monuments Branch is prepared to give advice to a local authority when asked. Lists of the more important national monuments for the different areas were furnished to local authorities by the National Monuments Advisory Council.
Deputy Treacy's interest in the restoration of the Standing Stone at Cullen is appreciated. I regret it has not been found possible, because of prior commitments, to arrange for the archaeological excavation of the site which I am advised is necessary before re-erecting the stone. The matter is not being overlooked and the excavation work will be undertaken at the earliest possible opportunity.
Deputy L'Estrange was concerned about grave slabs. Conservation of ancient grave slabs by the commissioners is feasible if the graveyard concerned is in their care. The majority of graveyards are in the care of local authorities. A case in point is the graveyard at Ballynakill near Killashee, County Longford, which contains a number of early Christian grave slabs. Local authorities have power under the National Monuments Acts to maintain and protect national monuments in their care. Under section 22 of the National Monuments Act, 1930, they may establish an advisory committee to give them advice and assistance in relation to the protection and preservation of national monuments within their functional areas. The National Monuments Acts provide that where the local authority are the owners of the national monument they shall maintain it. I should like to see local authorities and private persons and groups taking a more active part in the preservation of our ancient monuments. The National Parks and Monuments Branch have a backlog of work in relation to monuments in their care, and there is still a considerable number of monuments not in the care either of the State or local authorities.
Deputy L'Estrange complained that archaeological earthworks are disappearing at an alarming rate in County Westmeath and that they are not being excavated or even recorded before they are destroyed. He suggested that the law should require a person to obtain permission from the Office of Public Works before interfering with any archaeological remains. I share the Deputy's concern in this matter. Not only in County Westmeath but throughout the country these relics of the past are being destroyed and obliterated at an increasing rate. I await the view of the National Monuments Advisory Council on certain proposals which have been put forward tentatively for amendment of the National Monuments Acts to meet the threats and problems of the present day. In due course I expect to bring legislative proposals before the Oireachtas. However, it is evident, as pointed out by Deputy Tully and Deputy L'Estrange, that without an interested, informed and vigilant public much of our ancient heritage will continue to be destroyed. I am glad to hear that voluntary organisations are active in County Westmeath in the protection and preservation of monuments. With the passage of time their efforts will be even more appreciated. Once a relic of the past is destroyed it can never be replaced.
As a matter of interest, I should like to tell Deputies that this year we have taken charge of eight monuments. On 10th March we took charge of a ringfort at Croom, County Limerick; on 27th April, we took charge of a ringfort at Taghmon, County Westmeath; on the same date we took charge of a moated house site at Corboy, Killoe, County Longford, and three ritual sites in the parish of Denn, Cavan. It is difficult to take charge of the many monuments but little by little we are doing our best to maintain as many monuments as possible.
Deputy Hogan O'Higgins alleged that we proposed to spend a sum of between £20,000 to £30,000 on the construction of a small Garda station at Bookeen. These figures are not correct. The proposal is to build a station unit and house at Kiltulla, near Bookeen, at a cost of about £10,000.
Regarding Deputy McLaughlin's inquiry in respect of Sligo garda station, tenders were invited for a scheme of improvements to this station but as an acceptable one was not received tenders have been reinvited. These are due on 15th June.
Deputy Tully referred to Item No. 62 in the Estimate, that is, the provision of storage accommodation for departmental records, et cetera, in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Deputy was anxious to know what is involved here. The idea is to provide a cheap industrial-type building with a small office at Thorndale, Drumcondra, to house documents and various publications of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and thereby avoid the necessity of using valuable office space in the new building at Kildare Place. Deputy Tully mentioned also the expenditure of £380,000 on the new office block in Kildare Place. The fitting out here includes partitioning, floor covering, lighting and furnishing. It should be remembered that there is a staff of approximately 1,500 people involved.
Deputy McMahon raised some questions regarding Tallaght. I can tell him that we are building a new telephone exchange there at the moment. Apparently, the Deputy is not aware of this. Also, provision has been made in the Estimate for this work by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. The same Deputy was concerned about the matter of national school facilities at Tallaght. The position is that tenders for the provision of a permanent school have been invited by the manager's architect and are due on the 27th June, 1972.
Deputy Coughlan expressed concern regarding the conditions of employment in the Office of Public Works. He said that although a number of people have been employed by the Office for between five and 20 years they are still temporary and are not entitled to pensions. I am not clear as to what particular employees the Deputy has in mind, but if he will let me have the details I will look into the matter.
Deputy Coughlan suggested also that regarding the purchase of furniture we have to buy through combined purchasing sections at fixed prices. I would like to reply to that by saying that, with the exception of a few items, notably typists's chairs, we do not buy in this way. For the great bulk of requirements competitive tenders are invited and all suitably equipped and competent furniture manufacturers can tender. The Deputy was critical of the condition of rural garda stations and the amount of fuel supplied for heating them. Deputy Begtey was on this line also. We have done and are doing a lot in the matter of the erection of new rural stations and in improving existing stations. Repairs are carried out by contract and except for very small jobs at least three tenders are asked for. In the case of bigger jobs the tenders are invited by public advertisement. The Office of Public Works are not responsible for the supply of fuel to garda stations.
There was mention, too, of the publication, Oibre. I think that everyone will have received his copy a week or so ago. We intend to continue this publication. The current issue was a little late being published, but when there is much pressure of work, one cannot expect people to complete articles of that sort to the neglect of the services provided by the Office as a whole. We hope that the next edition will be available in good time.
Deputy Hogan-O'Higgins referred to Ruan national school in County Clare. This school, which is more than 100 years old, is scheduled for replacement by a new central school to replace it and Kells national school. A sketch scheme together with an estimate of the cost of the proposed central school has been prepared and furnished to the Department of Education preparatory to the sanctioning of a grant. A scheme of improvements at the old school at Ruan consisting of the provision of w.c's, electric heating and the surfacing of the school yard was completed within the past two years. The Deputy referred also to Tubber national school in County Clare.
A grant has been sanctioned towards the cost of an improvement scheme at this school which includes the provision of water-flushed sanitation system works and tarmacadam resurfacing of the yard. Clare County Council intimated within the past few weeks that a public water supply should be available there in about 12 months time. In the meantime the manager has been supplied with details to enable him to proceed with the remainder of the work covered by the scheme.
Deputy Tully inquired as to what is the item referred to in the Estimate as balance of expenditure. This is item 86 in the Estimate and is a more compressed description, which was used also in 1971-72, of expenditure formerly—(1970-71)—described as balance of expenditure not provided for above and works of the previous years which may not be complete on 1st April. I think the old description was clearer and I have arranged to have it resumed next year.
Deputy L'Estrange was critical of the lack of up-to-date toilet facilities in some primary schools. I share the Deputy's wish that modern facilities would be available in all our primary schools and we shall spare no effort in that respect. However, there is a scheme whereby in respect of schools that are not to be replaced within a short period, the manager may proceed to provide these facilities without any reference to the Office of Public Works. When the work is complete the bill is sent to us and we pay the costs provided, of course, the work is carried out satisfactorily. The same Deputy said he had received some complaints regarding delays on our part in paying small contractors. We pay as quickly as possible and in recent years we have improved in this respect. In very many cases delays are caused by the inability, or by difficulty on the part of contractors, to furnish the full documentation that is required in support of claims. Also, there have been cases in which we have paid the contractors, but where the contractors have not paid the sub-contractors. Perhaps the Deputy's anxiety arose from matters of this kind, but I can assure him that there is no unreasonable delay on our part in paying any contractors provided the necessary documentation is supplied.
Deputy L'Estrange suggested also that the Office of Public Works should borrow money from insurance companies with which to build their own office accommodation. In this respect I would refer the Deputy to the statement in this regard in my introductory speech and point out that this whole question of office accommodation is under active review at present.
Deputy Coogan raised the matter of Rossaveel, but I dealt with that last week by way of Parliamentary question. Deputy Byrne suggested that a naval vessel should accompany our sailing teams to the Olympics. Of course this would be a matter for the Minister for Defence because we have no control over naval vessels. The same Deputy suggested that we should have a speakers' corner in Dublin rather than having what is now the traditional corner at Middle Abbey Street. I have thought about this a few times and under no circumstances could I approve of having this type of facility provided in St. Stephen's Green because it would be ruinous to the amenities there. Such a facility, though, could be provided in the Phoenix Park but when we suggested this venue, the people who were looking for the facility did not approve of the park because they did not consider it to be central enough.
