Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 4

Written Answers. - Farmleigh Estate.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

80 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance the terms and conditions and the frequency with which Farmleigh will be made available to the public after its official opening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18189/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen)

The official opening of Farmleigh is scheduled to take place on 28 July this year when an open day will be held on the estate. For health and safety reasons it will be necessary to limit the numbers attending but it is intended that tickets to attend the opening will be made available to the public. Tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis through local and national radio stations to ensure the widest possible distribution of, and access to, invitations.

On the weekend beginning Friday, 3 August, the National Concert Orchestra will hold a series of three concerts on consecutive evenings. Each event will cater for 800 attendees and tickets will, as for the open day, be distributed free of charge through the national and local radio stations. It is intended that these concerts will become annual events forming the core of a wider season of public summer time events to which there will be public access.

On the same weekend guided tours of the house and gardens will be available. These will continue to be available on each Saturday and Sunday throughout the year, subject to operational and security requirements. Again, for health and safety reasons, it will be necessary to limit the numbers attending on any given tour. Tours will, therefore, be available on a first come, first served basis. In addition, it will be possible to book group and school tours. These arrangements will be kept under continuous review in the light of operational requirements and public demand with the intention of securing the greatest degree of public access possible.