Vol. 480 No. 6
95 Mr. Gregory asked the Taoiseach his response to the concerns expressed by the National Graves Association and their request that a green space (details supplied) should be preserved in view of the fact that it contains the remains of United Irishmen killed in 1798. [14382/97]
Following concerns expressed by the National Graves Association on the preservation of the Croppies Acre, a meeting took place between officials of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, the Office of Public Works, the National Museum, representatives of the Government's 1798 Commemoration Office and public interest groups including representatives of the National Graves Association.
At that meeting, the historic importance of the Croppies Acre site was acknowledged and it was agreed that any development of the site would be undertaken with great sensitivity.
It was agreed, in principle, that the existing green space would be appropriately treated as a 1798 memorial and plans for that process will be announced in 1998, it is hoped, in the first half of the year. The treatment of the Croppies Acre site will be undertaken in the context of the next phase of the Collins Barracks scheme which is at an early stage and subject to the requirements of the introduction of the LUAS light rail line along the northern boundary of the Esplanade.
I am happy to say that two members of the public interest groups represented at the meeting will be nominated to liaise with the design team of Collins Barracks who will advise and consult those nominees on developments.
