Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Roche, and I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I know the Senator has a keen interest in Innisfallen through his role both as an Oireachtas Member and as a past chairman and one of the trustees of Muckross House.

Innisfallen Island is located at Lough Leane within Killarney National Park, which is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A monastery was founded on the island, reputedly by St. Finian, in the 7th century. The monastery became an important seat of learning and the Annals of Innisfallen, a major source of information on the early history of Ireland, were written or at least completed there between the 11th and 13th centuries. In addition to a 12th century oratory with a fine Romanesque doorway, there are remains of extensive monastic buildings, probably from a slightly later period when it became an Augustinian priory.

The monastic buildings on Innisfallen Island are maintained for public access as important national monuments under the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. National park personnel co-operate closely with OPW staff in order to afford the monuments full protection and to ensure that the management of the monuments and surrounding national park lands are mutually agreed. I heard what the Senator said about turf wars. However, this Administration has been highly successful in having joined-up government despite the obvious temptation at times by some officials to——