Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Nov 1990

Vol. 402 No. 5

Written Answers. - Offaly Peatland Interpretative Centre.

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

63 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the steps which have been taken to check on the suitability of an alternative site proposed by the local community for the locating of the interpretative centre in relation to Clara Bog, County Offaly; if he will arrange for the officials of the Valuation Office to make a report to him as to the value of the site concerned; if any decision has been taken on the suitability of the alternative site; if he will arrange for immediate assessment of the site to take place; if he will give an indication as to the length of time it will take for a decision to be made on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

A number of proposals for peatland interpretative centres in different areas have been put forward. The Office of Public Works are reviewing these proposals in the light of the resources available for this purpose. In the meantime the site in Clara proposed by the local community has been visited by architects of the Office of Public Works. Preliminary inquiries indicate that the site may be suitable for the purposes of an interpretative centre. To date however, the site has not been offered for sale by the owner. The exact position of a proposed by-pass road is a complicating factor.