Vol. 500 No. 1
262 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the national monument site, known as the Hole in the Wall, in High Street, Kilkenny, is now for sale; if her Department is interested in purchasing this site in view of its national importance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3591/99]
I was not aware that the property had been offered for sale.
The monument has been entered on the Register of Historic Monuments under section 5 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1987, and it, therefore, enjoys protection under the Act by virtue of the fact that the owner or occupier must give me two months notice if he/she proposes to carry out, or to cause or permit the carrying out of, any work at or in relation to the monument or area. However, there is no obligation on the owner to inform me of an intention to dispose of the property.
As the monument has been recorded, its purchase by my Department is not necessary to ensure its protection.
263 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps, if any, her Department is taking to provide public toilet facilities at the Brownshill Dolmen, Carlow, in view of the increasing numbers of visitors to the site; if the project can be undertaken in 1999; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3592/99]
As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy's Question No. 766 of 27 Eanáir 1999, proposals for the upgrading of the access to the Brownshill Dolmen and the car park are included in the 1999 works programme of Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department. However, at this stage, I have no plans to provide toilet facilities at this dolmen.
