Vol. 497 No. 7
106 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the future role, if any, he envisages for the Asgard; and the plans, if any, he has to approach The Heritage Council to discuss possible uses for a restored Asgard. [26177/98]
Recently the Asgard Restoration Project Limited applied to my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, for a licence under the National Monuments Acts to carry out restoration work on the Asgard with a view to restoring the vessel to seaworthy condition. That application was made on foot of my approval in principle, as legal owner of the vessel, for the restoration project. The current position regarding the application was outlined by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in reply to Question No. 328 of 24 November 1998.
I envisage a number of positive roles for a restored Asgard, including visits to ports around the country to coincide with local festivals and to participate at major sailing events at home and abroad. I hope this would contribute to developing a greater appreciation among our people, particularly our youth, of both maritime affairs and the significant part played by the Asgard in the foundation of the State.
