Vol. 516 No. 5
234 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the restoration works, if any, required to the Connolly Folly, Celbridge, County Kildare, arising from the detailed survey carried out; and the estimated cost of restoration. [8526/00]
The position regarding restoration works to the Connolly Folly remains as stated in my reply to Question No. 641 from the Deputy on 26 January last.
235 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when the report on a ring fort will be finalised to enable a planning application to proceed in view of the fact the delay is causing severe financial hardship to the land owner. [8527/00]
There is no record in my Department of this planning application notification having been received from the planning authority. My Department contacted the planning authority yesterday and was advised that the planning application was received by the planning authority on 7 December 1999. Additional information was requested from the applicant on 2 February 2000 and was received by the planning authority on 9 February 2000.
Under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1994-1999, planning authorities are obliged, in such cases, to make a decision on the planning application within two months of the date of receipt of the additional information. In the circumstances of this planning application the decision date is not later than 8 April 2000. As the planning authority is statutorily obliged to make a decision by that date, the submission of an archaeological assessment, where warranted, by my Department cannot be regarded as in any way material in any perceived delay in the handling and processing of this planning application.
I have arranged for the planning authority to send copies of the relevant papers to my Department for archaeological assessment and a reply will issue to it within the next week.
