Vol. 431 No. 6
45 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the Penal Church at Cahirciveen, County Kerry; and if he intends to register the Penal Church as an historic monument under the National Monuments Acts, 1930-1987.
A number of properties in Cahirciveen, including the Penal Church, have been the subject of compulsory purchase procedures by Kerry County Council, in connection with a car parking development which they are proposing to locate in the area. The Commissioners of Public Works have recommended to Kerry County Council that the Penal Church should be preserved. Officials from both the Office of Public Works and the county council have been working to reach an accommodation, whereby both the church can be preserved and the car parking development can proceed. I would hope that a mutually agreeable solution can be arrived at shortly. Arrangements will be made at the appropriate juncture to enter the Penal Church in the Register of Historic Monuments, as provided for under the National Monuments Act, 1930 to 1987.
