Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 1

Written Answers. - Purchase of Land.

Willie Penrose

Question:

778 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason her Department has failed to date to finalise the purchase of an area of ground (details supplied) in County Westmeath which is of major archaeological, historical and cultural importance in spite of the fact that the vendor has been willing to sell this to her Department over the past three months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2022/99]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

During the latter half of 1998, Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, has been actively negotiating the acquisition of a core archaeological area on the Hill of Uisnach. A number of offers for the area involving significant sums of money have been made to date but no agreement has been reached to date. However, I remain hopeful that agreement can be reached with the vendor.