Vol. 515 No. 6
233 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands further to Parliamentary Question No. 638 of 26 January 2000, the timeframe for resolution of the legal difficulties and the finance available to develop St. Catherine's Park, Leixlip, County Kildare, to enable immediate public access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6986/00]
As announced by me on 6 March 2000, I am pleased to confirm that development funding of £3.75 million over a five year period commencing this year has been secured for the Lucan Demesne.
As you are aware, the delay in completing the contract documents transferring the demesne to Fingal, Kildare and south Dublin councils, arises from legitimate concerns of two of the three local authorities.
Both I and my Department have made exceptional efforts to resolve the concerns of the local authorities and have been urging them to expedite completion of the contracts with a view to making the demesne available to the public as soon as possible. I assure the Deputy that my Department is actively pursuing the completion of the legal formalities which are now in the hands of the legal representatives of the relevant parties. As soon as the legal formalities are attended to, progress can then be made on the programme of works to facilitate public access to the demesne.
