Vol. 544 No. 5
42 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made to date by the interdepartmental committee considering the development of the Battle of the Boyne site; if consideration of the consultant's report has been concluded by the committee; the likely timeframe for the development of the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29242/01]
I responded to the House on 9 May 2001 on the progress made by the interdepartmental committee, IDC, on developments regarding the Battle of the Boyne site. Since that date, the IDC has received and accepted, with some minor amendments, the report of the professional consultants. The consultants' report covered the following areas: physical-spatial planning; infrastructure and facilities; access and circulation; site presentation; historic landscape protection; and signage and management issues.
In order to progress the consultant's report, a sub-committee of the IDC was formed to draw up general plans and costings for how the site might be developed in order that the IDC could make recommendations to Government. The sub-committee has met on two occasions. Following these meetings, the Office of Public Works is arranging for a building contractor to make Oldbridge House and out-buildings secure and safe. This work is necessary to facilitate the preparation of specialist reports on their condition. When the sub-committee has received these reports they will prepare detailed plans, together with costings, for consideration by the IDC. Until the IDC has prepared and presented its recommendations to Government, I will not be in a position to be precise about the likely timeframe for the development of the site.
