Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - National Monuments.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

253 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the fact that for the past four months it has been impossible to open the main door of Reginald's Tower; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this, together with the absence of fire drill procedures, contribute a danger to the public and staff; if she will investigate the delay in repairing a door; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20645/01]

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

There are two doors to the ground floor of Reginald's Tower; the original door, which is on the north side, away from the river, and the south door, which is a later 16th century insertion, facing the river. Both of these doors have been in use for visitors but because of noise, dust and wind, the guides requested that consideration be given to the fixing of an inner door to the quayside opening.

To preserve as much light as possible, a glass door was designed and ordered from a manufacturing firm. Carpenters from Dúchas, The Heritage Service of my Department, installed a timber subframe and a template was sent to this firm. The design was based on a complex survey, which incorporated a number of factors; the floor of the tower slopes unevenly outwards, the sides of the door opening are neither parallel nor vertical, the opening is within a circle and neither side of the opening is at 90 degrees to the inner wall, the arch over the opening is irregular in profile, the arch slopes irregularly to the outside, and there was only one point where the required width and height could be achieved within the opening.

The door, which was installed on 10 April 2001, was designed on the basis of the survey. This was perfect, apart from one arch stone which protrudes downwards from the general contours of the opening and prevents the door from opening fully. The choices were to break off the 50 millimetres by which the stone is proud or to adjust the door. As the arch dates from the 16th century, within a 12th century tower, the second option was preferred. Officials from my Department visited the site to consider possible options and decided to investigate re-configuring the glazing. A local contractor agreed to do this, but sub sequently advised that this was not possible, as the glass was toughened after cutting to shape.

The manufacturers have since agreed to meet on site but a mutually convenient time has yet to be arranged. It is likely that either the door spring and base will be lowered by the required amount or a new glass door with a fixed overhead panel obtained and fitted within the existing fittings. Neither option would be costly, as the greatest cost in this was in the fittings themselves.

The difficulty experienced with this door arises out of the complexity of the location and the difficulty in applying modern construction within a medieval building. The preparatory work was done with great care and the one "rogue" stone was not apparent until the door was fitted. The manufacture of the door was done to a high standard.

While ideally the tower should be open to the quayside as well as to the north, the site is operating satisfactorily with one door. It is regrettable that nearly three months have elapsed but it is clear that the project has been receiving considerable attention from the staff of Dúchas. In the circumstances, where public access to the site was not restricted and given the very wide responsibilities of Dúchas, it was not considered to be a top priority.

I consider health and safety issues to be of paramount importance for both staff and visitors to our sites. Fire safety equipment at Reginald's Tower is inspected annually and is kept in service. Guide staff receive training in the use of this equipment. The health and safety adviser of my Department is currently reviewing health and safety procedures and I will ensure that recommendations made are acted upon. Pilot fire and emergency plans, which will serve as models for other sites, have been drawn up for a number of locations and these are in the process of being assessed.