Vol. 507 No. 2
218 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, she has to renovate Knockkelly castle, Fellard, County Tipperary, to make it amenable for tourists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16567/99]
Knockkelly Castle, Knockkelly, County Tipperary is not in State ownership or guardianship and Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, does not therefore have a statutory obligation to maintain or restore it. As the resources allocated to Dúchas are fully committed in maintaining those national monuments which are in State care, Dúchas is not in a position to carry out works to the castle.
I should mention that Knockkelly Castle is included in the Record of Monuments and Places for County Tipperary (South Riding) which was established pursuant to section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994. As a consequence, the owner or occupier of the castle must give me two months notice of an intention to carry out any work at or in relation to the castle.
