Vol. 523 No. 2
97 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will enter into discussions with the owners of Lismore Castle, County Waterford, with a view to having that portion of the western wing of the castle, which is quite dilapidated, together with the adjoining yards refurbished and opened to the public as a major tourist attraction. [20731/00]
I regret that I will not be in a position to provide funding for the restoration of Lismore Castle within the terms of the national development plan, which will define my Department's conservation spending proposals between now and 2006. In allocating funding for conservation works, my Department's primary objective is to conserve and protect the 700 monuments and historic properties which are in State care.
