Vol. 531 No. 3
352 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her Department's present position regarding the carrying out of repairs to Ballybunion Castle, the Castle Green, Ballybunion, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5795/01]
As I have stated previously Ballybunion Castle is not in State ownership or care. It appears that Kerry County Council are the owners of the property and therefore responsibility for its repair rests with them.
I understand the county council have recently received a proposal and costing for the consolidation and conservation of the castle. My officials have been asked by the council to comment on the proposal and they hope to respond shortly. They remain available to offer further advice to the council in the matter.
353 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the concern many people have regarding the restoration of the paving in and around St. Stephen's Green which is being undertaken by the Office of Public Works on behalf of Dúchas and that having regard to the recent experience in other parts of Dublin city as well as Galway and Cork connected with pedestrian pavement restoration she will take the necessary steps to ensure that the existing Wicklow granite, which is an integral part of the existing paving of St. Stephen's Green, will be properly matched and repaired with additional granite paving where necessary of a tone, colour and texture similar to that of the existing Wicklow granite in order that, as the new stone would weather and age, the texture and colour would blend with the existing stone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5796/01]
My Department's proposals to undertake works on the paving around St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, involves the replacement of two sides of the existing perimeter initially. Moreover, the existing paving on the perimeter around St. Stephen's Green is entirely made of concrete, while the bollards and kerbing are virtually all Wicklow granite. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department proposes to replace the concrete paving with granite flagstones, so the outcome of the work to be undertaken will, by any standards, represent a significant enhancement to this historic park which is situated in the centre of Dublin.
The position at the moment is that, given the scale of the tenders received for this project relative to the funds at my disposal it was necessary to reconsider the options in conjunction with the Office of Public Works. I propose to address this matter by seeking new tenders for revised proposals. In this regard the Deputy will of course appreciate that Government contract procedures must be complied with during this process.
