Derek McDowell
Question:59 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will list all properties within the ownership or control of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2833/99]
Written Answers. - Departmental Properties.
The list of properties under the ownership or control of my Department is very extensive and is too great to list individually. The following information may be of assistance to the Deputy.
In relation to the natural heritage, my Department owns over 75,000 hectares of designated parks and nature reserves. These include the Wicklow Mountains National Park, Killarney National Park, the Burren National Park, Connemara National Park, Glenveagh National Park and the recently designated National Park in North-West Mayo. There are 66 State-owned nature reserves, as well as areas of bog, grassland, etc., also included in this figure.
In relation to the built heritage, I am the owner of some 530 national monuments and five historic properties. I am the guardian of 210 monuments which are privately owned. My Department also administers 16 other properties which are not owned by me.
In relation to the inland waterways, I am owner of the Royal and Grand Canals, the Barrow Navigation and the Shannon-Erne Waterway, within the State, including towpaths and associated parcels of property along the systems such as dry-docks, lock-houses and depots. In regard to the Shannon navigation, I am the owner of several parcels of property along the navigation, princi pally around the locks with lock-houses, dry-docks and depots.