Vol. 425 No. 8
4 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that his Department, through the Office of Public Works, is responsible for policy and continued construction on the Burren Interpretative Centre at Mullaghmore, County Clare; his views on the suspension of work on this site until a review of the complete project takes place and a report is issued; and if he will give details of expenditure on site work to date.
21 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Finance the cost implications of the proposals which the Minister for Art, Culture and the Gaeltacht suggested to the Office of Public Works in respect of alternative arrangements for the interpretative centre at Mullaghmore, County Clare.
24 Mr. Cox asked the Minister for Finance the overall estimated cost of the interpretative centre in the Burren National Park at Mullaghmore, County Clare; the total cost which has been incurred to date; the proportion of this cost that will be borne by the European Community; and the amount that has already been drawn down.
32 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works intends to undertake any review of its policy in regard to the location of intepretative centres in view of the strong criticism expressed in this regard; if the Office of Public Works will agree to suspend work on the controversial centres at Mullaghmore, County Clare, and Luggala, County Wicklow, to allow further consideration to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 21, 24 and 32 together.
I would like first to outline the approach to the provision of access to our national parks. The five Irish national parks are relatively large areas which exist to conserve natural plant and animal communities and scenic landscapes of national importance and where, in harmony with such protection, public access and appreciation can be facilitated. The management policy for the parks has been endorsed by successive Governments and in the context of access it has been, and remains, Government policy to encourage Irish people and indeed people from abroad to visit heritage areas provided that such access does not damage the areas. At national parks, nature reserves, monuments and gardens managed by the Office of Public Works, for which I have responsibility, this access and appreciation is achieved in a number of ways:
(i) the recruitment of rangers and guides to provide tours, walks and talks for visitors;
(ii) the publication of a series of books, leaflets and pamphlets;
(iii) the provision of information boards, panels, nature and historical trails;
(iv) the provision of visitor centres containing displays exhibits and audio-visual programmes.
All of the 33 centres are operating effectively and are meeting the dual criteria of visitor access and conservation. Indeed the purpose built centres at Glenveagh in County Donegal and Glendalough in County Wicklow have received prestigious international awards.
