asked the Minister for Finance why work has been suspended on the restoration of Tintern Abbey, County Wexford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Restoration of County Wexford Abbey.
17.
As the conservation work to Tintern Abbey developed it transpired that it was far more complex than had been anticipated. Important medieval fragments were discovered and it was necessary to postpone further work until the services of an archaeologist could be made available. The case is being kept under review so that work will be resumed at the earliest possible date.
Was it not possible to procure an archaeologist?
The Commissioners are doing everything possible to secure the services of not alone one archaeologist but several archaeologists for the expanded national monuments service.
Can the Minister not give any indication when this work will be resumed and continued? This is a pile of considerable historical interest. It is a tremendous tourist attraction in the area and the Parliamentary Secretary should, therefore, be just as interested in it as I am. Can he not give any indication when work will be resumed?
A scheme of priorities is being prepared at the moment and that scheme will be carried out in the next year. We are conscious of the unique importance of the monument to which the Deputy refers.
This work has been interrupted and the Parliamentary Secretary's reply now indicates that there is no hope of it being recommenced at an early date. Does the Parliamentary Secretary not consider this a priority? Why should Wexford be pushed out of everything and somewhere else pushed in?
If I gave the Deputy that impression, nothing could be further from the truth. What I did say was that when works began it was discovered that the job was far more complex than anticipated and the services of an archaeologist would be required and a careful scientific job of conservation carried out. As it is, works concluded in November last and there will be a re-opening of these works in Tintern as soon as possible.