Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Tourism; Culture and Sport the assistance he will give the Office of Public Works and Donegal County Council in their joint promotion of the Grianán of Aileach fort at Burt, County Donegal with its historic significance on a par with the Hill of Tara. [10616/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The ring fort of Grianán of Aileach is a national monument in State ownership. The site is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Office of Public Works. My Department provides funding under the built heritage capital programme to the OPW to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic properties and national monuments in State care. It should be noted that there has been a significant reduction in the budgetary allocation to this programme in recent years. My Department has been engaged with the OPW with regard to this site and has co-operated in the production of a heritage guide to the Grianán, published in 2010. This guide summarises the results of the conservation works undertaken between 2004 and 2007 and gives an outline of the historical and archaeological significance of the site.

Following a meeting on 30 September 2010 between officials from the OPW, my Department and key stakeholders, it was agreed that the heritage guide would be made available through local tourist outlets, that signage at the site would be improved and that there would be ongoing co-operation with stakeholders through the county council's heritage officer to explore possibilities for highlighting the site's importance. I am pleased there is a little good news for the Deputy and progress is being made.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Grianán of Aileach on the Donegal-Derry border is a magnificent historical location set in spectacular surroundings with panoramic views. The fort overlooks Inishowen to the north giving good views of Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle. On a clear day, one can see five of the nine counties of Ulster from Grianán's parapets.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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It sounds lovely, Deputy, but can I get a question from you?

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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I am getting to it. As such, it represents a major tourism attraction in the north west. However, it is and under-resourced and under-funded attraction. My colleague, Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn, extends an invitation to the Minister to visit the site. Will the Minister accept Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn's invitation? Will the Minister commit to investing in improved amenities at the site?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I assure the Deputy when I go to Donegal I will visit the site. As a former history teacher, I have referred to the site in the past. I thank the Deputy for reminding me and ensuring that I recall the importance of the site. However, this is a site where something has happened and where the OPW is doing something. A guide and proper literature are now available and it is more of a positive story than that of other sites throughout the country. I am keen to visit the site when I go to Donegal which, hopefully, will be before July. I thank the Deputy.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I was interested to listen to the response of the Minister on the cut in funding in recent years and what the OPW is doing now. Given the announcements to try to boost tourism, it is vital that as much work as possible is done in conjunction with every Department to try to enhance and promote these areas. There are many areas throughout the country of great culture and heritage.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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A question please, Deputy.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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They will be a valuable asset in terms of attracting tourists. What are the Department's plans to improve advertising and to promote our cultural and heritage sites?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I agree with the Deputy that in this country we do transition and translation well, but we do not do transmission. We have spent a lot of money to develop cultural facilities, but often people do not know about them. Transmission is vitally important. With modern technology, including Facebook, iPhone apps and other means of communication, we can tell people about our attractions in an inexpensive way. Proper websites are important, with other means of communication about which the young people in the Visitors Gallery would be able to tell us. Modern technology must be used much more; it is inexpensive, but it can be used to tell people about our archaeological sites, monuments and attractions.

Deputy Jonathan O'Brien is a Corkman, as is the Acting Chairman, Deputy Ciarán Lynch.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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There is a Cork lady present also.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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True, but Deputy Sandra McLellan is from a different constituency. I was in St. Fin Barre's Cathedral recently and appeal to the Cork Deputies to take an interest in this remarkable building. It is a national treasure that needs attention, as it is taking in rainwater. The organ which is unique needs to be repaired.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Despite the Minister's charming of Cork, I must interrupt him, as he is over time.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I would like all Cork Deputies to take an interest in the restoration of St. Fin Barre's Cathedral and I will not be found wanting because I am very impressed by the building. It will take some action to rectify it.