asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange to have additional literature made available at Clonmacnoise, County Offaly, for visitors and others interested in the historic background of this national monument; if he will request Bord Fáilte to have literature available in all local hotels; if he will take steps to make known the historic background and the importance of Clonmacnoise as a tourist attraction; and if he considers that there is a great lack of publicity in this regard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clonmacnoise Monument.
35.
The Commissioners of Public Works, in consultation with An Bord Fáilte and the National Monuments Advisory Council, have selected a number of important national monuments in their charge for special attention in regard to standard of presentation and the provision of visitor facilities. Clonmacnoise is one of the national monuments selected and the facilities to be provided will include interpretative literature. The planning of the visitor facilities is proceeding in collaboration with the Offaly County Council and An Bord Fáilte.
The Commissioners of Public Works and I are conscious of the need for interpretative literature about national monuments generally and steps are being taken to improve the situation in this regard.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say at this stage what are the likely additional facilities to be provided at Clonmacnoise in view of the fact that the existing facilities fall far short of normal requirements? The Parliamentary Secretary is aware that even on Sunday last there were a number of bus tours to Clonmacnoise and there were neither restaurant facilities, toilet facilities nor suitable guides available. There is a caravan there and there is a highly efficient lady present there to supply information but only four to six persons could stand in the caravan at a time and there were bus-loads of people anxious to get information. Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider that such a situation is desirable to Clonmacnoise?
I accept what the Deputy says, that a great deal needs to be done. It has to be done in collaboration with Bord Fáilte. We have some ideas now and are in discussion with the county council. Until such time as these discussions are concluded I cannot say exactly what facilities will be provided. The lady the Deputy referred to and the Midland Regional Tourism Organisation have produced a guidebook. It is a privately produced document. The guide book referred to is a presentable document and the people responsible for it are certainly to be congratulated. I agree that the sooner the State can proceed the better. We brought out a booklet recently on Dublin Castle. We are bringing out an improved edition of that booklet. We have one for Newgrange. We hope to have this type of facility provided as quickly as possible.
May I inquire if the Parliamentary Secretary is correct in saying that the delay in this case is due to discussions with the Offaly County Council not having concluded? Might I inquire the nature of the discussions? Surely the Parliamentary Secretary realises that such discussions could be concluded in half a day if the county council, the engineering staff, the county manager and the other officers concerned were present? Will the Parliamentary Secretary endeavour to have the discussions concluded within a week or ten days so that work can be put in hands for this time 12 months?
Yes. If we do not start in this financial year, we will certainly be starting in the next financial year.
Somebody will.