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

I agree with the list of priorities the Minister outlined. They are what we need but we also need the action to follow the words. I will continue to press the Minister and her Department to deliver on the plan.

I have one concern relating to the Minister's reply. She mentioned that Meath County Council is responsible for parking and roads. That may well be factually the case in terms of its responsibility outside the site but I somewhat disagree about parking. I am not sure how the council is responsible for parking although it is certainly responsible for roads. What has happened on the Hill of Tara for a number of years is that we have heard one area is the responsibility of the Government through Meath County Council, something else is the responsibility of the OPW and another area again is the responsibility of the Department. A single-track approach is required. I am confident that is being led by the Minister currently, but I am concerned about an element of passing the buck that is beginning to creep into the debate. That cannot happen. The Minister's words today, which I by and large agree with, must be met with resources. This is our most important heritage site. It is beautiful and is steeped in the lore of this country. The site is so valued by people all over the world that we must do it right. The situation at Tara is shameful compared to Newgrange and many other monuments all around the country.

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