Vol. 537 No. 2
91 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when works will be completed on the restoration of An Grianán Fort, Burt, County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on whether the wishes of the local community will be taken into account when the matter is being addressed to ensure that the well on this site is also restored. [14558/01]
As the Deputy is aware there has been considerable damage to An Grianán of Aileach caused by a number of factors including extreme weather conditions, subsidence, vandalism and visitors to the site taking stones as souvenirs. The most recent recorded damage at the site was over the weekend of 7 January 2001 when fencing erected by my Department was uprooted, stones from the monument hurled across the site and stainless steel information plaques torn from their plinths. Obviously the sheer scale of the vandalism which occurred that weekend is a worry for, not only my Department, but for anyone who cares about the heritage of our country.
Following on from the damage and vandalism to which I have just referred, my Department had intended to undertake essential repair work to the monument in early March but because of concerns regarding foot and mouth disease the commencement of this work had to be delayed. However, with the easing of foot and mouth restrictions, work commenced on the site earlier this month. I fully expect all the necessary work to be completed by the end of August.
For health and safety reasons, during the repair work it is necessary to limit access to the site and to this end my Department has secured the agreement of Donegal County Council for a temporary closure of the access road to the monument for the period of the works. However, conscious that the site is an important one my Department will ensure that access to the monument is maintained for visitors from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
With regard to the Holy Well at An Grianán my officials recently met representatives of the local community and arrangements are now being made to undertake repair work to this part of the site.
