Vol. 504 No. 1
28 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Asgard restoration project has established that substantial funds for its total restoration and on-going maintenance could be raised in the United States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11146/99]
32 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the advice, if any, the Heritage Council has given to her in relation to the restoration or conservation of the Asgard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11145/99]
40 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on research carried out by the Asgard restoration project in Britain that it will cost up to £100,000 annually to keep the conserved Asgard in a state of preservation in a suitable environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11147/99]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna 28, 32 agus 40 le chéile.
In 1996, the Heritage Council had advised that it supported the proposal of the Asgard restoration group to restore the vessel. The council advised at that time that it was not envisaged that the vessel would ever be sufficiently seaworthy to undertake the more rigorous programme of sail training again, but that it could form a floating exhibit at a suitable maritime exhibition area, with the possibility of bringing it occasionally by sea to particular events.
Subsequently, owing to divergent views on the treatment of the Asgard, the council, in seeking to formulate its most recent advice established a special working group which engaged in a broader-based consultative process.
The council has now recommended that the ideal situation for the boat is its full conservation, display and interpretation as a land-based exhibit in a suitable location. The council states that this would allow the preservation for a maximum amount of original material while also providing the opportunity for an exciting exploration of the multi-layered heritage of the vessel.
In relation to the possible annual costs mentioned arising in the event of the vessel being conserved, it should be noted that the future treatment of the vessel under the National Monuments Acts has yet to be decided and any costings in advance of these decisions are, by their very nature, highly speculative.
The issue of the sources of private funds that might be available for the restoration to a sea-going standard and the maintenance of this vessel by the Asgard restoration group does not fall within my remit. This would be a matter for consideration by my colleague the Minister for Defence, who is the owner of the vessel, at the appropriate time.
I am currently awaiting the advice of the National Museum of Ireland regarding an application for a licence, under the National Monuments Acts, for the restoration of the vessel by the Asgard restoration project. It would be inappropriate to comment further on this matter until this advice has been tendered and considered.
