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

I am glad that many people contributed to the survey, including undoubtedly many of my constituents. The priorities of my constituents are the same as my own. As the Minister mentioned, one priority is to recognise the international and Irish importance of this site. Another is to recognise that this has been a community of people since the dawn of time, one which continues today. We are not looking for a repeat of the Tara Skryne landscape conservation plan which generated so much anger in the local community without delivering any benefit for the site. Apart from the preservation of the site, which the Minister needs to provide for urgently, what people want most is for basic facilities to be provided at the Tara site. Some of these would be the responsibility of the Department and the Office of Public, while others would be the responsibility of Meath County Council. I welcome the establishment of a steering group but it cannot become a talking shop. It must deliver results for the Hill of Tara and the surrounding community, who love it and know it best.

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