asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works will allow Kerry County Council to extend the burial ground at Derrynane, Caherdaniel, County Kerry; if discussions are taking place between officials of the Office of Public Works and Kerry County Council regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Derrynane, Kerry, Burial Ground.
88.
At the request of Kerry County Council the Commissioners of Public Works agreed to lease an area of ground to the council for the extension of the burial ground at Abbey Island in Derrynane Historic Park in the Caherdaniel area. The offer was subject, inter alia, to an archaeological investigation of the site to ensure that there were no archaeological remains in that area. A preliminary excavation carried out in 1985 found that there were archaeological remains there and established that portion of the site should be preserved. A further excavation would be required before a decision could be made as to whether grave spaces could be made available in another part of the site. Kerry County Council have indicated that they have no funds for further excavation.
A meeting recently took place between an official of Kerry County Council and an official of the Office of Public Works and a possible alternative site for the extension of the burial ground was identified. I understand that Kerry County Council are considering the suitability of this alternative location.