Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not entirely sure if the Minister of State or the officials or the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht are aware of what the Hill of Tara actually is. It was the seat of the high kings of Ireland in ancient times. It is the most important historical and cultural site in the State. Despite this the Minister of State's Department does not provide car parking or toilet facilities for visitors. As far as I can see, the Department does not contact the local authority except when the Minister of State is on a visit for a meeting organised by one of his own colleague councillors. The Department does nothing for the Hill of Tara except cause aggro with local residents. The local residents have a number of groups, including the Rathfeigh, Skryne and Tara community centre. There was a meeting organised recently by them. The Friends of Tara have also campaigned for some time to get proper facilities. I believe they would be happy if the Minister of State agreed to meet the two groups of residents and all six councillors in the area, some of whom live a lot closer to Tara than the councillor I am glad the Minister visited. The Minister of State needs to meet the groups with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and with Meath County Council. Nobody is in charge in this regard. Technically the site is owned by the OPW, but nobody seems willing to take leadership. I appeal to the Minister to take leadership on this issue and to meet the groups, with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and with Meath County Council, to see where we can go from here in providing facilities and a proper management plan for the Hill of Tara, and working in conjunction with the local residents.

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