Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 2

Written Answers. - St. Helen's House Preservation.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

26 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he has received a proposal from the St. Helen's House preservation group suggesting a land swap of lands at Beggars Bush Barracks for the St. Helen's House property; his views on this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Helen Keogh

Ceist:

72 Ms. Keogh asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will give favourable consideration to the plan of St. Helen's House preservation group to swap Government lands for St. Helen's House.

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

Tógfaidh mé Ceist Uimh. 26 agus Ceist Scríofa Uimh. 72 le chéile.

St. Helen's House is of undoubted architectural merit. I am pleased to say that, following communication from me, the Commissioners of Public Works have entered this building in the Register of Historic Monuments under section 5 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1987. However, on the basis of preliminary advice received by me from the National Heritage Council on the development of a broad policy on the question of State acquisition of historic properties in private ownership, it would appear that, even if funds were available, there would be many other properties having a higher priority than St. Helen's.

The advantage of acquisition by land swap, as proposed, was illusory. In reality, there is no difference to the Exchequer between foregoing the revenue from the sale of surplus Government property and the expenditure of an equivalent sum on the purchase of St. Helen's. As the Deputies are no doubt aware, the Beggar's Bush property was recently sold by the Office of Public Works.