Vol. 489 No. 5
128 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason her Department has refused to either purchase, or dispose of the Department's freehold interest in, a property (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8490/98]
My Department is unaware of any offer for the sale of the leasehold interest in the above property. However, I understand that the property owner in question sought some years ago to acquire the freehold interest in the property. The request was refused on the grounds that Dúchas — the heritage service (waterways) of my Department is anxious that the present leasehold interest in the property should be retained to ensure control over future developments in the area surrounding the canal.
