Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014
18. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the extent of the damage caused by the recent storms to national monuments across the country; in particular, damage to national monuments near coastal areas; the action he will take to remedy this damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10699/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which ongoing inspections are carried out at protected or other monuments throughout the country with particular reference to the detection of the need for weather-proofing or other damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11478/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 162 together.
Since the onset of the recent bouts of severe weather affecting many areas of the country, my Department has maintained ongoing contact with regional staff and our partners in the heritage sector, in particular the Office of Public Works and local authorities in the most affected areas, with a view to identifying the full extent of the damage caused to the archaeological heritage.
My Department has received a number of reports of damage to archaeological monuments, mainly concentrated on the west and south coasts. However, due to the remote nature of many of the monuments concerned it is likely to be some time before the full scale of the damage caused becomes evident. Moreover, there may be instances where monuments which currently appear unaffected may exhibit structural weaknesses in the months and years ahead on foot of damage caused by the recent severe weather.
In terms of national monuments in my ownership or guardianship, the most serious report of damage occurred at Dún Beag promontory fort in Co. Kerry, where a section of the fort was lost to an earthen collapse in January. A number of cases of comparatively minor damage to national monuments were also reported, including damage to the roofs of Kilmainham Gaol and the Dwyer-McAllister Cottage in Co. Wicklow.
My Department is continuing to assess the reports of damage received and will respond appropriately in due course.
