Vol. 549 No. 1
199 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her plans for the completion of works at Portumna Castle, County Galway; the completion costs to date; and her view on whether the project has great potential as a tourist focus in the area. [5949/02]
My Department does not propose to undertake further works at Portumna Castle. Consultants engaged by my Department to prepare the draft management plan for the Portumna estate recommended conservation of the castle itself rather than its full restoration. The reasons for this are to avoid conjecture in any such restoration; the need to study, preserve and present the surviving fabric; and the possibility offered by the building in its current state of creating a unique experience not to be found elsewhere in Ireland. My Department has accepted this recommendation.
The significant investment made by my Department to date at Portumna Castle has resulted in a distinctive tourist amenity for the region. My Department's major objectives for Portumna, which were to provide extended public access and an enhanced exhibition for visitors, have been achieved. Expenditure at Portumna Castle during the period 1990-2001 amounted to some £3,109,510.
