Vol. 537 No. 3
114 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in regard to the purchase of the Oldbridge Estate, he is satisfied that this corresponds with the main site of the Battle of the Boyne, having regard to the fact that the riverbank to the north, known as King William's Glen, has been traditionally regarded by the Orange Order and others as the site of the battle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16227/01]
115 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in regard to his plans to facilitate an understanding of the Battle of the Boyne, consideration was given to the possibility of purchasing land on the riverbank to the north, known as King William's Glen, which has been traditionally regarded by the Orange Order and others as the site of the battle and as this was the site of a commemorative obelisk and is shown in the June 1996 Boyne Valley integrated development plan as the site of the battle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16228/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together.
My predecessor as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Andrews, announced on 8 January 1998 that the Government was examining how best to encourage and facilitate an understanding of the Battle of the Boyne and an appreciation of the environment in which it took place. In August 2000, the Office of Public Works on behalf of the Government purchased the Oldbridge Estate after receiving advice from military historians and the Orange Order on the matter. I am quite satisfied from that advice that the Oldbridge Estate contains the core of the battle site. Indeed, the archivist of the Orange Order has recently written to the Taoiseach expressing his appreciation of the resources committed by the Government and stated that "undoubtedly this Estate encompasses the central portion of the battlefield".
In regard to the possible purchase of further lands connected with the battle site, this matter will be kept under review by the interdepartmental committee.
