Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. He was able to be brought on the visit by a local tour guide. However, if one happened to be a member of the local community who wanted to do similar with that tour guide, one would not be able to. A schoolchild from one of the local schools who was previously brought there on an organised visit by that group cannot do so any more.

The Minister of State mentioned that, since the monument was in private ownership, he had no role in the issue of public access to it, but will he declare it a national monument? He is the Minister of State who can do that. This is a significant dolmen and the second largest in Ireland. The Minister of State can declare it a national monument, which means he would then have a role, as the monument would be in State ownership.

The Minister of State cited section 89(5) of the Act, as did I. Under it, he has the ability to write to the local authority on this matter. Will he use that provision? We agree that a way forward is needed, but efforts by the local community to engage with the landowners on requests to establish a right of way under section 206 of the Planning and Development Act have not been successful to date. We need definite rights of way. We need the tomb to be made a national monument in State ownership so that there will not be question marks over this in the coming years. We will instead be able to guarantee protection of our heritage and, where appropriate, public access to it. Will the Minister of State act on this? What actions will he take? While it is great that he is supportive, will he write to the local authority under the Act? Will he declare the tomb a national monument?

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