Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 6

Written Answers. - Asgard Restoration Project.

Enda Kenny

Question:

362 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the conditions, if any, which applied to her granting a licence to the Asgard Restoration Project Committee in respect of its desire to restore the yacht; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3275/00]

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

I refer the Deputy to Question No. 84 of 1 February 2000. As I have advised the House, the Asgard is in the ownership of the Minister for Defence. My sole responsibility in relation to it arose from an application from the Asgard Restoration Project Limited for a licence under the National Monuments Acts to alter the Asgard in order to bring it to full sailing and sea-going condition.

A licence to alter the Asgard under the National Monuments Acts and the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 was issued to the Asgard Restoration Project Limited on 23 December 1999 by my Department.

The conditions attached to the licence are as follows: full report to be submitted to the National Museum of Ireland within six months of the completion of any alteration; curriculum vitae to be submitted to the National Museum of Ireland outlining the qualifications and experience of any professional persons to be involved with the alteration and the qualifications and experience of any tradespeople involved; a detailed proposal or work schedule in relation to the proposed work of alteration should be sent to the director of the National Museum of Ireland; list or lists to be provided to the National Museum of Ireland, at regular intervals, of all the individual components that it is proposed to remove restore, clean, drill, alter, or destroy; any components whatsoever removed from the vessel are to be stored safely and securely for inspection, if necessary by the National Museum of Ireland or a person duly authorised by the National Museum of Ireland; access by the National Museum of Ireland must be facilitated to inspect work in progress.

It should be noted that this licence, issued under the National Monuments Acts and the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997, relates only to archaeological issues. Matters relating to health and safety, marine safety and any other relevant issues fall to be addressed by the relevant statutory authorities.