Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy's concerns. As I mentioned in my original reply, there is a revised draft plan which we hope to have by mid-summer. It is focused on conservation and site management. Meath County Council will have to look at the car parking and toilet facilities issue. The Office of Public Works looks after the day-to-day management of the Hill of Tara. It is the symbolic capital of Ireland. That is not in dispute, and we have to have a proper plan for it. The plan that is there will include all stakeholders. It will be a five to ten-year policy plan. We want to make sure that the aesthetic, social and spiritual values of the Hill of Tara are protected. As a Minister I want to make sure that we look after our heritage, in particular the Hill of Tara which is such a popular place to go to. It was the site of the 1798 rebellion, among other historical events which the Deputy mentioned earlier. We are looking at a serial application to UNESCO and whether we can do something with that. I am satisfied that we will have something with which to come back to the Deputy by mid-summer, and it is to be hoped that will address his concerns.

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