Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 5

Written Answers - Preservation Orders.

John O'Leary

Question:

117 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department stopped Kerry County Council in 1996 from carrying out repair and maintenance work to the ruin of the old church on the grounds of Kilcummin Old Cemetery through a FÁS scheme in the parish of Kilcummin near Killarney; if he will lift or amend the preservation order on this ruin to enable such works to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7572/97]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

The scheme of works proposed by Kerry County Council for the graveyard at Old Kilcummin was approved by the national monuments and historic properties service of my Department in March 1996 and the scheme proceeded. No proposals for works were made in respect of the ruins of the old church in the graveyard. There is no preservation order on the site but it is entered on the Register of Historic Monuments the effect of which is to require the owner to give me two months notice of any work affecting the monument. Also, interference with the monument by any person is prohibited.