Vol. 503 No. 3
461 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will give a report on the efforts of her Department to acquire property (details supplied) in County Westmeath which is of major archaeological, cultural and heritage importance; the reason the purchase has not been finalised to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10315/99]
Renewed negotiations took place on 5 March 1999 with the vendors solicitor to acquire a core archaeological area of 115 acres plus a gate lodge at the Hill of Uisneach but unfortunately those negotiations were not successful. The offer made by Dúchas was a very fair and reasonable one for the property concerned but it was not accepted by the vendor.
The archaeological features on the Hill of Uisneach are protected under section 12(3) of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994. Under this legislation an owner, or occupier of a recorded monument or place who proposed to carry out, or to cause, or permit the carrying out of, any work at or in relation to such a monument or place, is required to give me, two months prior, written notice of any such intention. A person contravening those provisions shall be liable to severe penalties under the Acts, the maximum penalty for offences being a fine of £50,000 and/or five years imprisonment.
