asked the Minister for Finance his proposals in regard to the development of a Boyne Valley archaeological park in County Meath.
60.
Written Answers. - Boyne Valley Archaeological Park.
59.
asked the Minister for Finance the powers which he will use to acquire land in order to develop the Boyne Valley archaeological park, County Meath; and if he has made arrangements for the use of compulsory acquisition orders by the county council in this regard.
61.
asked the Minister for Finance the restrictions, if any, which apply to the use of private land by private individuals if such land is within the boundaries of the Boyne Valley archaeological park, County Meath; and if he will indicate the authority, if any, which he will use to enforce any such restrictions.
62.
asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements which will be made to protect cattle herds from disease created by pedestrian traffic overland in the Boyne Valley archaeological park, County Meath, as a result of plans currently being developed for walk ways.
63.
asked the Minister for Finance if he or the Office of Public Works will apply for planning permission in respect of any new developments in the Boyne Valley archaeological park, County Meath; and in the event of it being exempt from planning permission, the arrangements which will be made to ensure that local views and objections are taken into account in determining the development.
64.
asked the Minister for Finance if it is intended that there will be an interpretative centre in the proposed Boyne Valley archaeological park, County Meath; and if so, the location of same.
65.
asked the Minister for Finance if it is proposed to make provisions in regard to public walk ways in the proposed Boyne Valley archaeological park, County Meath; and if so, the protection which will exist in regard to the spread of disease between cattle herds by pedestrian traffic.
66.
asked the Minister for Finance if the National Monuments Advisory Committee and/or the Local Monuments Advisory Committee of County Meath have been consulted on proposals for the Boyne Valley archaeological park, County Meath; and if so, if they have received a full copy of the proposed plans for submission of their views.
67.
asked the Minister for Finance the restrictions on normal commercial agriculture and commercial activity of other kinds by local residents which will be imposed as a result of the designation of an area as the Boyne Valley archaeological park, County Meath.
68.
asked the Minister for Finance the rights which visitors to the Boyne Valley archaeological park, County Meath will purchase by buying tickets from the Office of Public Works as visitors to the park.
69.
asked the Minister for Finance if the plans for the Boyne Valley archaeological park, County Meath will be available for inspection and the lodgment of objections.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 to 69, inclusive, together.
In November 1987, the Government announced their approval in principle to the establishment of a national archaeological park in the Boyne Valley. The purpose of such a park is to ensure the preservation of the archaeological remains and their environmental setting while at the same time providing facilities for visitors to apreciate the monuments.
The proposals evolved from the recommendations of a committee which included the Professor of Archaeology, University College, Dublin, and representatives of Meath County Council, the Office of Public Works and Bord Fáilte.
A specialist planning and landscape consultant was engaged to assist the committee. Among the consultant's recommendations were:
—The delineation of the core area which will form the archaeological park together with a surrounding buffer zone.
—The provision of a central visitor centre, car parking etc.
—The rationalisation of visitor access and circulation, including the provision of an internal transportation system.
—The registration of the core area under the National Monuments Acts.
These recommendations were accepted in principle. The consultant also outlined a number of management options, which are under consideration. No definitive plans for the park have yet been developed.
A public presentation of the broad concept of the park was made in Slane on 12 June 1989 and an invitation issued to all interested parties to submit their views. Consultation has taken place in the meanwhile with a local liaison committee and with many individual residents and landowners. This process will continue as further details of the development evolve. A more detailed outline of the overall scheme will be made available to the public in due course.
It will be necessary to acquire a site for the visitor centre and it is hoped to achieve this by agreement rather than by the use of compulsory powers. Negotiations are taking place with the owners of a number of possible sites. Until a particular site is acquired it is not possible to give an outline of pedestrian or vehicular access.
A progress report has been given to the National Monuments Advisory Council and consultations with the local authority will also take place. The normal consultation process with the planning authority will take place in respect of building development.
No specific public walkways are being planned at present but when this issue arises consideration will be given to any implications this may have for agriculture. It is envisaged that, on payment of an entrance charge, visitors will have admission to the visitor centre and other State property and the use of a transportation system.
The description of the area as an archaeological park confers no new powers on the authorities involved nor imposes any new restrictions on traditional farming or commercial activities. The registration of the area as an Archaeological Area under section 5 of the National Monuments Act, 1987, as recommended by the consultant would confer on the commissioners the right to be consulted in relation to any proposed works in the registered area.