I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 22 together.
I am aware that certain criticisms have been made recently in a gardening magazine about Ilnacullin (Garnish Island). While it is not possible to satisfy all shades of opinion, I can assure the Deputies that the gardens are being managed and maintained to the highest standards. Problems have arisen from excessive rainfall in recent years combined with high visitor numbers resulting in damage to grass walks, but measures have been taken to counteract the problem and the position is being constantly monitored.
A vigorous year-round programme of horticultural maintenance is sustained together with extensive renewal of plants, shrubs and specimen trees. Management of the gardens is reviewed on an ongoing basis and additional works are undertaken as resources permit to improve the facilities there for the better enjoyment of the gardens by visitors, who numbered more than 80,000 last year.
A fully comprehensive computerised inventory is in place at Ilnacullin.
On a more general note, I feel the comments made in the magazine article in question, though obviously very wellintentioned, might have been better put directly to the commissioners in the first instance to enable them to respond or to put corrective measures in place if they felt this was warranted. I visited Garnish personally last July in the company of my colleague, Deputy Joe Walsh, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, and viewed at first hand the difficulties being experienced by the Office of Public Work's assistant park superintendent and his staff due to high rainfall and heavy visitor pressure.
Following that visit, the commissioners put in place a programme which will involve taking on additional staff shortly to assist in the gardens. This indicates the level of commitment there is within the Office of Public Works towards maintaining high standards on Garnish and preserving the excellent reputation it has as a tourist and visitor amenity. I can also assure Deputies that my own commitment to seeing this valuable amenity resource properly protected and developed in the future remains unchanged.
I take this opportunity to congratulate Deputy Sheehan on his elevation to spokesperson on the Office of Public Works. I look forward to working with him.