Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Treaslaím leis an Seanadóir Cannon as ucht a bheith roghnaithe mar Seanadóir. Gabhaim buíochas leis as ucht deis a thabhairt dom freagra a thabhairt dó thar ceann an Aire, an Teachta Gormley. I thank Senator Cannon for the opportunity to set out for the House the considerations that have led to the decision to move the Turoe Stone.

The Turoe Stone is a national monument in State ownership located in the grounds of Turoe House near Loughrea. The land on which the stone is located is in private ownership. The stone is carved with a series of spirals, trumpet designs, curves and incised lines in a Celtic art style known as La Tène. It is believed to have been carved sometime between 300 and 100 BC and is generally considered to be the finest example of its kind in Europe. Given the international importance of the stone, there is clearly an onus on the State to secure its integrity in the longer term.

In 1996 a report commissioned from a stone conservation specialist found that the stone was undergoing weathering, leading to serious surface attrition together with disfigurement due to organic growth and iron staining. The specialist recommended that the monument be carefully cleaned and removed to an indoor display area with appropriate environmental parameters. In 2005 a follow-up inspection by the same specialist concluded that the stone had undergone additional surface attrition, with further reduction in its carved detail. The location of the stone was also leading to damage from human contact and it required a greater level of protection than it was possible to provide at its present location.

In the course of subsequent discussions between the Department and the OPW on how best to protect the stone, it was agreed as an initial temporary measure to build a small shed-like structure around it to prevent further weathering. This work was carried out in 2005. A further report in 2006 concluded that putting the stone under cover had inhibited organic growth and this had resulted in reduced staining and greater clarity in the carved detail on the stone. The report also found, however, that putting the stone under cover has been only partially successful in reducing the risk of irreversible damage. The report confirmed that it would be necessary to move this national monument to an environmentally controlled indoor location where the surfaces could be cleaned and stabilised under expert supervision and where it could be permanently protected from further damage. This view was shared by the director of the National Museum.

In light of all the expert advice available to the Department, the Minister has agreed there is no viable alternative but to move the stone, under archaeological supervision, to an environmentally controlled indoor location.

Unfortunately, there is no location in the immediate vicinity of the stone's current location which meets this criterion. However, the National Museum has indicated it is satisfied, following discussions and an inspection, that the new Galway City Museum is a suitable location for the Turoe Stone. A high quality replica will be put in place at the same time as the original is moved. On 25 July 2007, the proposed approach in this case, which is fully in accordance with archaeological best practice, was communicated to local public representatives and to the landowner.

The question of whether monuments under threat of damage require protection from the elements by covering them or by moving them indoors is considered on a case by case basis. Such action has been taken in the case of a number of well known monuments. For example, the high crosses at Clonmacnoise were moved to the visitors centre at the site, while the high cross in Kells was moved from its location in the centre of the town to a new location outside a heritage centre some distance away, with a canopy erected over it. A stone carved in the La Tène style formerly located at Killycluggin, County Cavan, was taken into the care of the National Museum in 1974 and subsequently loaned to the Cavan County Museum opened in 1996, while crosses at Durrow, County Offaly, were moved to an adjacent disused church. St. Patrick's Cross from the Rock of Cashel was also moved into a medieval building at the site.

Detailed discussions are taking place between the Department, the OPW and Galway City Museum on the arrangements for the Turoe Stone's transfer and the siting of the high quality replica at Turoe. The National Museum has also agreed to provide expert advice for the Department to ensure best conservation, custodial and presentation practice is adhered to at all times.

I acknowledge the desire of some members of the public that the Turoe Stone should remain in its current locality, but unfortunately this is not an option open to the Minister at present as there is no suitable location to house the stone. He would be happy to discuss these issues further with local representatives should they wish to meet.