asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the historic Dominican Abbey at Urlaur, Kilkelly, County Mayo, is rapidly deteriorating; and if he will direct that the Office of Public Works should take over its care and preservation as a national monument.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Urlaur (Mayo) Abbey.
26.
The Commissioners of Public Works are not prepared to take over monuments in the ownership of local authorities. This abbey is owned by the Mayo County Council who are empowered to maintain it under the National Mounments Act, 1930.
There are just two questions I should like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary. First of all, is it the practice of the Office of Public Works never to take over property of this kind from the local authority? Secondly, if that is the practice, would the Minister's Office make representations to the Mayo County Council to ensure that this property is not allowed to deteriorate further?
It is not the practice to take over national monuments which are already in the hands of local authorities, unless a specific request is made. I do not think there would be anything against the Commissioners approaching the local authority concerned in relation to the monument in question.