Vol. 549 No. 4
35 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress which has been made by the interdepartmental group on the Battle of the Boyne site; when she expects the group to report; the role her Department will play in the development of the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6806/02]
The Deputy will be aware that the interdepartmental committee on the Battle of the Boyne site operates under the aegis of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and is chaired by a senior official of his Department. The committee has been instructed by the Government to bring forward proposals for the long-term development of the Battle of the Boyne site. I understand that the committee has received a report from the planning consultants on the future development of the battle site which is under consideration. It is expected that the committee will submit recommendations to Government shortly.
My Department will be responsible for development and operation of the site, in line with the strategy to be approved by the Government. Interim measures implemented include minor road improvements, provision of temporary car-park and viewing points, provision of interpretative panels, works to 3.5 km of scenic walkway, completion of initial archaeological and military history research, property maintenance and security work and the commissioning of a specialist planning consultants' study. Part of the site was opened to the public and a guide service provided during Heritage Week last year, from 2 to 9 September 2001. A larger portion of the site will be opened for this year's tourist season from 1 June. A guide service is being provided together with an interim interpretative programme.
