Vol. 508 No. 3
320 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if finance will made available to have floodlighting provided at Jerpoint Abbey, Thomastown, County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19063/99]
On the occasion of a visit to Jerpoint Abbey last month, I had occasion to meet with a delegation of local interests who expressed their strong wish that the abbey should be floodlit, and I undertook to consider their request further. In this regard, I should explain to the Deputy that factors such as incursions into a cemetary area which remains in use and the archaeological implications of ground disturbance relating to any floodlighting project must be taken into account in any such consideration.
I have proposals to commence essential conservation works to the Chapter House at Jerpoint Abbey next year and to extend the existing visitor facility at the abbey. I propose to give sympathetic consideration to the wishes of the local group in relation to the floodlighting of the abbey when finalising the programme for these works.
