Vol. 535 No. 3
140 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her response to the concerns expressed by the Save the Asgard campaign; if she will agree to meet a delegation from this organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12641/01]
There are two legitimate differing opinions held in relation to the preservation of the Asgard– conserve the vessel as a static exhibit in a museum, which is the view of the Save the Asgard campaign or restore the vessel to full sailing condition so that it may take to the seas again.
Both options were examined and I concluded that, on balance, a sailing vessel would best be preserved as a fully working boat, and therefore that the restoration of the ketch represented the most effective means of preserving its history. Accordingly, with the agreement of the Government, I issued a ‘licence to alter' the Asgard in order to facilitate its restoration to full sailing condition.
I have already received a request to meet a delegation in this case and the matter is under consideration at present.
