Vol. 546 No. 4
30 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her Department has been in consultation with Dungarvan Urban District Council regarding the uncovering and the restoration of the ancient paved well at Shandon, Dungarvan, County Waterford, adjacent to the Fraher field; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31920/01]
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, all the capital resources of my Department for the protection of the built heritage are committed until 2006 under the national development plan. I am therefore not in a position to become actively involved in a project to uncover, restore and present this well to the people of Dungarvan.
Should Dungarvan Urban District Council wish to carry out such a restoration scheme, I will arrange for officials of my Department to provide advice in relation to the best practice and also to provide technical advice.
In any event, I have asked officials of my Department to speak to the urban district council about the site and the protection of sites generally in the Shandon area. This area is an important one from an archaeological viewpoint and my Department has been working closely with the urban district council to ensure that all developments in this area are assessed having regard to the archaeological heritage.
