Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Deputy's points. They are well made. He has been advocating strongly for quite some time for this to be brought to a conclusion. I understand that officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have liaised with Clare County Council regarding the potential for some support from the local government fund. Funding for the National Monuments Service's approved conservation works at Bunratty Castle could also be considered. Officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will continue to engage with the interdepartmental working group and Clare County Council to support progress in transferring the remaining Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council. Some have come over but the Deputy is right about the castle. It is an issue of funding. I know we have to bring it to a conclusion. The transfer makes sense. I take the Deputy's point that the council wants to make sure that it is not caught short in the years to come in respect of this. I know the Minister is innovative and responsive at the best of times. One would hope he could find deep in the well some means to resolve this issue.

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