We have congratulated the people who donated the land. When the opening of the Environmental Protection Agency takes place it would be courteous to invite the remaining heirs to see what is being done to enhance the property their predecessors donated to the State. Such courtesies can sometimes be forgotten.
Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill, 1996: Committee and Final Stages.
Section 1 agreed to.
SECTION 2.
Question proposed: "That section 2 stand part of the Bill."
That is an excellent suggestion and we will bear it in mind. The Senator is quite right. Magnificent gifts have been given to the State by distinguished families in our history and we should not take these gifts for granted.
We have a double responsibility in this regard. First, we must cherish the inheritance. A good job has been done in relation to this estate because the lands have been magnificently maintained over the years by the employees of Teagasc, and An Foras Talúntais before that. Some damage was done to the interior of the castle in the 1940s or early 1950s when the State first took over the estate. There was a magnificent staircase which now only exists in paintings and pictures. However, the Office of Public Works has acquired some very good quality old timbers and has stored them there with a view to restoring that staircase. Second, there is a new age of enlightenment and it should incorporate keeping a link to the descendants of the good people who donated such properties to the State.
I will take the Senator's suggestion on board.
If the Minister wishes to make proper use of those timbers he should get in touch with a firm in Kilkenny which renovated Kilkenny Castle. Old timbers were required in that work as well.
Question put and agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment and received for final consideration.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
I wish to voice a brief word of thanks to all sides of the House for facilitating the speedy enactment of this legislation. It is important that we move at a swift pace and I am grateful to the House.
Question put and agreed to.
Sitting suspended at 3.50 p.m. and resumed at 6 p.m.