Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, it was a recommendation to sign off on the proposal to establish a presidential library in the property where the former President was raised. It was a good proposal and a positive investment for Ballina. I am not sure exactly what happened to prevent it. Everybody seemed to agree that it was a good proposal and that the location was right. In February 2016 my Department, having assessed the proposal, offered a capital grant in principle to Mayo County Council for up to €2 million towards the cost of construction of the centre, subject to the standard conditions that apply to all such grants. The board of the Victoria House Foundation issued a statement on 28 November indicating its intention to review the option of developing the proposed centre in Ballina following the decision by the former President to donate her archive to NUI Galway. That review, the board indicated, would be completed in the first quarter of 2017. My Department is liaising with Mayo County Council on the matter and I will consider any proposals that emerge from the review.