Vol. 488 No. 1
229 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will initiate discussions with the owners of Carton Estate, Maynooth, County Kildare with a view to purchasing this estate for the benefit of the Irish people. [5827/98]
I understand that the question of State acquisition of this important heritage property was considered in the mid-1980s and was ruled out on the grounds of the major Exchequer funding which would be required to acquire, refurbish and maintain the house in the absence of a definable use for Carton demesne. However, I consider the present proposal to develop an international destination resort at Carton to be a fitting use for Carton House and demesne and most probably the best means of securing its future.
