Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

It is nice to learn what is available in other counties and areas.

The Brownshill dolmen is located in the townland of Kernanstown and is visible from the public road. I understand it is known locally as "pagan's altar". It is a national monument as defined under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004. Its national importance is, as Senator Browne rightly states, of considerable historical and archaeological interest. Only the dolmen itself, however, and a small area around it, along with a pathway leading to a nearby public car park are in the ownership of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The car park, off the main road, is owned and managed by Carlow County Council which is responsible for its maintenance.

The Minister agrees that access to this national monument is somewhat difficult. Senator Browne suggests it is more than somewhat. One sets off from the public car park along a field boundary to the dolmen, but one must also bear in mind that its very isolation acts as a protection for the monument. We continually strive to balance the protection of national monuments with a reasonable level of public access and interpretation.

Discussions took place recently between the Department, the Office of Public Works, OPW, and Carlow County Council on the possibility of acquiring additional lands adjacent to the dolmen and the transfer of such lands into State care. The intention was to improve the amenity and setting of the monument and to widen and improve public access to it as well as to provide improved interpretation signage.

In the interim, the OPW continues to maintain both the public access and the area in State care directly around the monument. The OPW has informed the Minister that it is not aware of any need for major conservation work to the site. It is aware that there can be a problem with litter in the car park from time to time but this is a matter for the county council.

The Minister is also anxious to see access to, and presentation of, this highly important monument being improved and has instructed his officials, in consultation with the OPW, to reactivate discussions with Carlow County Council with a view to addressing these issues and to seek to bring forward any necessary practical measures in this regard. The Minister is confident that, between all parties, we can provide a better showcase for this magnificent national monument of megalithic provenance.