Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 1990

Vol. 394 No. 8

Written Answers. - Boyne Valley Historic Site.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

160 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the amount of money which has been expended by the State since 1970 on an archaeological research and consequential public works development in the vicinity of the archaeological park at the Boyne Valley, including the work carried out at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth; if he will index that money in current value terms in order to provide a clear picture of the State's expenditure and capital investment in this unique historic site; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

The amount of money expended since 1970 on archaeological research excavations at Newgrange and Knowth, was £447,780 which indexed to current terms, using the Consumer Price Index, would be approximately £1 million.

The amount of money expended on conservation works, presentation works for visitor access, routine maintenance works and archeological excavation for conservation purposes, on the national monuments in the Boyne Valley, is not available. Records are retained for only ten years and an inordinate amount of time and work would be involved in abstracting the relevant figures for this period.