Vol. 555 No. 1
36 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will instruct Dúchas to designate Ballybunion Castle, County Kerry, as a national monument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17306/02]
151 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will provide the necessary funding to restore Ballybunion Castle to its condition before it was struck by lightning in December 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15594/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 151 together.
Ballybunion Castle is listed on the Record of Monuments and Places. The present structure is that the castle is in a ruinous state with only the tall eastern side remaining. Much of the cliff on the western side has been eroded and there is some erosion of ground near the north east corner on the north side, which will further undermine the structure. Consequently, to conserve the castle structure and militate against erosion would require substantial investment. There are many other such monuments throughout the country, similarly at risk, where my Department's intervention has been sought but all the resources that are available to me are already fully committed for the foreseeable future to the conservation and maintenance of the approximately 740 national monuments that are in State care. Among these are projects at Ardfert Cathedral, Gallarus Castle and Listowel Castle in County Kerry.
The Deputy will be aware, however, that my professional staff have assisted in the preparation of a condition report on the castle and I understand that, following that report, urgent safety works were undertaken by Kerry County Council.
Question No. 37 answered with Question No. 32.
