asked the Minister for Finance when Ross Castle, Killarney will be fully restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Ross Castle, Killarney.
1.
The structural stabilisation of Ross Castle is a major engineering and architectural project. It is hoped to have it fully finished and to re-open the castle to visitors by 1991. Full restoration of the castle is not proposed.
Works done up to late 1984 included: conservation of the bawn walls and towers; restoration of the original entrance; major masonry repairs and the removal of modern infill in the smaller chambers; major repairs to vaults, windows and doors and the removal of a concrete roof which was endangering the building.
A serious problem arose at the end of 1984 when it was found that the two cross-walls in the castle were structurally unsound. These walls, which are substantial in dimension, were inserted in the structure about 300 years ago to consolidate it. However, they were found to have almost no bonding within them and their removal, as well as the removal of the failed upper vault which they supported, was imperative to allow works to continue in safety.
This dangerous work, which by its nature was very slow, has now been completed and the main part of the castle is held together by means of steel supports which have been inserted. This work was essential to prevent the collapse of the castle. Other recent work involved the taking down of the facing on the inside of the castle walls which will be rebuilt in masonry. Concrete will be used between the inner and outer faces of the wall to stabilise the structure. The masonry work is skilled and painstaking and is therefore time consuming. When the major consolidation has been completed the roof and parapets will be restored. Final repair work to the interior will then be undertaken.
I am shocked and surprised to learn that the castle will not be restored until 1991. The work commenced in 1980 and though I do not attach any blame to the small staff involved, it is a disgrace to have the castle left there. Does the Minister agree that Ross Castle is looking like an old derelict building and that it will continue like that until 1991?
I am glad that the Deputy does not attach blame to the staff. Neither do I. As is obvious from my reply, the whole reason for the delay in completion of the work is concerned with the safety of the staff, because if the extra unexpected work to make the castle structurally sound, which was discovered to be necessary at the end of 1984, had not been undertaken, any other work would have been dangerous to the staff. The delay necessitated in making the castle safe, both for those working in it and its long term preservation, was essential and I am surprised that the Deputy should criticise the necessary delay involved. I do not think anybody, tourists or others, would benefit from having a castle that was restored and yet structurally unsound, with the risk of it falling down at any time.
Surely it should be possible to employ additional skilled staff who would be in a position to restore this castle, situated in a prime location beside the lakes of Killarney, in a year or two? Is the Minister aware that tourism interests not only in Killarney but throughout Kerry and West Cork are most concerned about the extraordinary delay in having the castle restored? It is having an adverse effect on tourism.
There has been no extraordinary delay.
Eleven years.
The delay has arisen for reasons that have been fully explained concerned with the safety of everyone involved. It is very important that the castle should be restored to a condition in which it will be safe for the next 300 years. To restore the castle and not to make it safe would be most imprudent and of no benefit to tourism in Killarney or elsewhere.