Vol. 446 No. 3
255 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht whether he will give consideration to the acquisition of the Lucan Demense currently on the market in the interests of preserving the amenity value of the Liffey Valley and ensuring public access to it and also because of its historic connection with Patrick Sarsfield; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2082/94]
The protection of these lands whether by means of a special amenity area order or by acquisition for use as a local amenity would be a matter in the first instance for the local authorities involved.
I will ask the Office of Public Works for their comments on the broader issues involved and will give such consideration as is appropriate to the issue raised by the Deputy and indeed other Deputies in this area.
Another means by which my Department could assist would be through the National Heritage Council but the local authority would have to initiate any proposal. I cannot, of course, anticipate what the reaction of the National Heritage Council would be but the funds available to it at present are small and it is unlikely that they could make a substantial contribution to the purchase of the property in question.
