Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen (County Roscommon).

Godfrey Timmins

Ceist:

10 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

John Browne

Ceist:

11 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

12 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

John Connor

Ceist:

15 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

16 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

19 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

21 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Donal Carey

Ceist:

22 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

23 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Avril Doyle

Ceist:

26 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

28 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

30 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mary Flaherty

Ceist:

32 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Alan M. Dukes

Ceist:

40 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Frank Crowley

Ceist:

41 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

44 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Andrew Boylan

Ceist:

46 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Paul Bradford

Ceist:

47 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

49 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

52 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

64 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

71 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

74 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Brendan McGahon

Ceist:

75 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Liam Burke

Ceist:

76 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Jim Mitchell

Ceist:

77 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Jim Higgins

Ceist:

79 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

80 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Austin Currie

Ceist:

81 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for the Environment if funding will be provided to Roscommon County Council for the development of a library at the Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application is with his Department since June 1991; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the development of a library is part of a major development plan by Roscommon County Council to turn this historic house into a library/museum and heritage house open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. M. Smith

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 21, 22, 23, 26, 28, 30, 32, 40, 41, 44, 46, 47, 49, 52, 64, 71, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80 and 81 together.

A revised proposal seeking approval in principle for a new branch library in Ballaghaderreen is being considered in my Department in consultation with An Chomhairle Leabharlanna. The county council will be notified as soon as a decision is made on the matter.

I should say, however, that the demand from local authorities for funding for library projects greatly exceeds the resources available for this purpose. There are, therefore, many deserving proposals which it is not possible to approve at this stage.

Mr. Connor

As the Minister may be aware, this was the house of the founder of the Young Ireland movement, John Blake Dillon, John Dillon MP and the doyen of this House, James Dillon, who was a distinguished Minister for Agriculture and leader of this party. In view of its unique heritage, does the Minister agree that a special case should be made for funding which has been sought by Roscommon County Council to establish a library and to turn it into a heritage house open to the public with other facilities also?

Mr. M. Smith

That proposal deserves consideration. Representations have been made by Roscommon County Council in connection with a number of projects which involve the establishment of a library. Two, if not three, proposals are being considered. I hope to move forward as far as I can within the financial constraints. I am under pressure to provide money for housing, roads and other developments. Libraries form an important part of the education system and have been developed in recent times. As limited resources are available I cannot say at this stage when final approval will issue.

Mr. Connor

I appreciate the Minister is attempting to be helpful but in the Estimates for the current year there is a 17 per cent reduction in the provision for libraries. I take his point that a number of proposals have been made to develop the house but they are complementary and must proceed on the basis that a sum of £300,000 is required from the Department to establish the library. I ask the Minister to regard it as urgent and urge him to ensure that the money is found in the current year. I also seek an assurance that the refusal of a grant in the current year would not be for political reasons.

Mr. M. Smith

If I did not know the Deputy was not serious in making that suggestion I would deal with him much more harshly. There is no question of adopting such a small-minded approach in managing the affairs of my Department. I am interested in heritage development and we will discuss that issue in greater detail some other time.

Mr. Barrett

What about amenity grants?