Vol. 455 No. 5
6 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the correspondence or contact, if any, he has had from EU sources regarding finance from Structural Funds expended on visitor centres which are not to be completed as previously planned. [11902/95]
The Department of Tourism and Trade, as the lead Department for the Operational Programme for Tourism 1989-93, is the agency through which contact is maintained with the European Commission regarding tourism projects which are financed by the European Regional Development Fund. In response to a query from the Commission regarding the implications of An Bord Pleanála's decision in relation to the Wicklow National Park Visitor Centre, the Department of Tourism and Trade formally advised the Commission on 12 April 1995 of the Government's decision in relation to the Burren National Park Visitor Centre, the Wicklow National Park Visitor Centre and the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre. An informal query in regard to the timescale envisaged for the preparation of management plans for the Burren and Wicklow National Parks was subsequently received from the Commission and replied to by the Department of Tourism and Trade by way of a letter on 10 May. There has been no further contact with the Commission in regard to the projects in question.
I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. Has he established if European funds will be available to support a visitor centre he may decide to locate at an alternative site in the Burren?
The Deputy's question sought information as to whether there had been any request for a return of funds from the European Union. Such a request has not been made. Regarding the preparation of a management plan, steering committees have been established in the Burren and Wicklow and they will proceed. On receipt of the management plan I anticipate we will be able to proceed on that basis. Regarding the centres, the Government of the day proceeded on the basis of the best legal information available. There has been no request from the European Union for the return of funds. It is important to complete the management plan and proceed with the work in a manner acceptable to the communities involved.
I wish to be helpful in that regard. I am disappointed my local authority does not have a representative on one of the steering committees. In reply to a previous question the Minister indicated he thought it likely that the cost of site restoration would be covered by the parks and wildlife budget. I am concerned to establish if Exchequer or European funding will be available to finance building a centre that may be located on an alternative site in Clare or Wicklow.
I am reluctant to stray into any matters that might be the subject of litigation. We must accept the court finding that what took place up until now regarding the development of one site was illegal.
We want to maximise the benefit for the general area already designated. That is the purpose of the management plan. The planning officer of Clare County Council is on one of the steering committees of the management plan. It would be wrong to suggest that the Commission or the European Union consider that the site that has been the subject of previous discussions is the only one suitable for funding. There is nothing to stop them, conscious of the elaborate and, unfortunately, divisive debate which has taken place, recommending a plan on which there is consensus.
Does the Minister intend that both sides of the Mullaghmore argument will be represented on the management committee? I thank him for meeting, at my request, groups who want the centre to proceed. He also met with representatives of the other side in the dispute to enable him make a decision on representation on the management committee. Has he made a decision in that regard?
I pay tribute to Deputy de Valera for her assistance in trying to resolve the matter. It was at her suggestion that I met with the Burren Action Group. I informed her that I would meet with any group in an effort to facilitate its participation in the management plan process. Since then I received a request to meet with the group but, unfortunately, the date suggested did not suit the group. An alternative date is being arranged. This is a positive step towards ensuring that the management plan process will resolve this ongoing conflict.
Does the Minister expect work on the Burren centre, wherever the location, to proceed in the lifetime of the Government? Is there a timeframe on the present consultations?
It would be erroneous for anyone to believe that by stringing out this process it could be undermined. I am not suggesting that is the thinking of any Member but some people might hold such a view. These matters will be concluded long before the end of this Government. It would be foolish to suggest that the matter could be strung out and, through some mechanism, revert to the original position. That will not happen. While endeavouring to achieve consensus, we are all obliged to obey the direction of the court. Achieving consensus is one matter but stringing out the process is another. That will not be countenanced. There will be a timeframe on the process, it will be completed and we will comply speedily with the directions of the court.
