asked the Minister for Finance if it is proposed to accept the offer made to the Commissioners of Public Works of Tintern Abbey, County Wexford, for preservation as a national monument.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tintern Abbey (Wexford): Preservation as National Monument.
37.
It is regretted that acceptance of this Abbey for preservation as a national monument will have to be deferred for some time. The large number of monuments already in State care and needing works will keep the available staff fully employed for some time to come.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, owing to financial difficulties, it may be necessary for this famous Abbey to be sold and subsequently demolished? Such being the case is he aware that this historic building which dates back to A.D. 1200, is a tourist attraction to that part of Ireland and should not be lost to the nation? Bearing that in mind, would he consider the possibility of giving it a high priority in taking over and preserving national monuments?
I have not been aware of the urgency of taking over Tintern Abbey but if the Deputy says so, I accept it as correct. However, the Deputy will appreciate that the Office of Public Works have a limited, what I may call, specialised staff for looking after such monuments. It would hardly be advisable to take it over if the Office of Public Works were not in a position to carry out the necessary preservation and conservation work.