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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - National Monuments.

Michael Bell

Question:

415 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason the Office of Public Works has not carried out any work on St. Laurence Gate, Drogheda, which is one of our most important and historic monuments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23371/00]

St. Laurence Gate, Drogheda is a national monument in State guardianship since 1965 and is included in my Department's programme of regular ongoing maintenance works. Recent maintenance works have included the treatment of weed growth at the monument. As guardian of the site my Department is authorised only to carry out conservation-maintenance works to protect the fabric of the building. I am satisfied my Department has discharged its responsibility in this respect. Substantial conservation-maintenance works have been undertaken in the past and any further such works deemed necessary in the future will be carried out by my Department.

Any question of the possible restoration of St. Laurence Gate would be a matter for its owners, Drogheda Corporation, subject to the approval of my Department.

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