Mr. Maurice Buckley:

I agree with the Chairman. As a result of his raising the issue last year, we initiated a conversation with the Butler family. There were two transfers. The first transfer was made to the Butler trust in 1967 and two years later the State became involved. It is our intention to celebrate the involvement of the State in Kilkenny Castle on the 50 year anniversary of that, in 2019. At the Chairman's request, we made contact with the Butler family last year when it was organising a gathering. Matters were a little bit rushed and a bit last-minute but we did succeed in getting a plaque to commemorate that event. The family, the foundation and the committee involved in the castle were very appreciative of that.

I take the Chairman's point that there is a possibility of bringing that celebration of ownership to the community. Kilkenny Castle is very much appreciated in the town and there is an opportunity to celebrate the fact that it is in State ownership and is a tremendous benefit to the town. Our plan is that we will have a bigger celebration on the occasion of the 50-year anniversary of the transfer to the State.