Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Monuments.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

494 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the dangerous condition of the ruined structure at Cauraune Castle, Cauraune, Balliperry, Castlebar, County Mayo, which is the responsibility of Dúchas; if her attention has further been drawn to complaints by the proprietor in regard to the condition of the castle; if she will make arrangements to have a secure fence placed around the castle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7811/01]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera):

Cauraune Castle is a national monument in private ownership and the subject of a preservation order. The National Monuments Acts make general provision for the protection and preservation of national monuments in State care. In the case of monuments not in the care of the State the onus is on any landowner who considers a particular monument on his/her land to be a potential hazard to make it safe or fence it off. My Department is not in a position to provide financial assistance towards this type of work in respect of monuments in private ownership as all available resources are directed towards the preservation and protection on those monuments which are in the care of the State.