asked the Minister for Finance in relation to Lisnaleagaun Fort, County Clare, Ballyteigue Fort, County Limerick, and Castlegrace Motte, County Carlow, in respect of which preservation orders have recently been made by him, if he will state in each case. (a) the exact nature of the danger to these monuments; (b) how and when the danger came to his notice; (c) if any damage has already been done, and if so, the nature and extent of the damage; (d) if any costs or losses will be imposed on the owners as a consequence of the making of the relevant order; (e) if he has any plans to develop public access to the monument; and (f) if any archaeological excavations are proposed to be carried out at the monument.
Written Answers. - Monuments Preservation.
480.
The Commissioners of Public Works have recently made preservation orders in respect of the three monuments to which the deputy refers. The position in regard to these monuments is as follows:
Lisnaleagaun Fort: (a) danger of removal in the course of land reclamation; (b) reported by a number of local people during September 1978; (c) no damage had been done when the monument was inspected.
Ballyteigue Fort: (a) complete removal in the course of land reclamation; (b) owner notified the commissioners in September 1978 of his intention to remove the monument, (c) yes—a small portion of the interior had been removed.
Castlegrace Motte: (a) removal of material from the Motte; (b) danger reported to the Commissioners of Public Works in August 1978 by the National Museum; (c) yes—a large part of the Motte had been removed.
Regarding (d) and (e) of the Deputy's question I am advised that the making of a preservation order does not empower the Commissioners to impose costs or losses on the owner of a monument for damage done prior to the making of the order or to develop public access to it.
With regard to (f) I am advised that the Commissioners have no plans for archaeological excavations at any of the three monuments.