Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

The Senator has drawn attention to his area. He is willing to fight for it and he made a lot of sensible suggestions.

With regard to his comments on tracing roots, I welcome Mr. Robert Babcock from Boston, a distant cousin, who is in the visitors' Gallery. He has traced his family back to my county and that is why he is present today. A tracing service is fantastic and I know that we have embarked on a large campaign to encourage many Irish Americans to come back here. I have read the Minister's reply and if the Senator believes in the project then he should not take "No" from it. The two bodies working together is the answer.

The following is the Minister's reply. The Office of Public Works runs a depot in Corofin, County Clare, from which it organises the maintenance of national monuments in the Burren area. The depot is located at the premises of the former Corofin Union Workhouse. The building was formerly vested in Clare County Council under the State Lands Workhouses Act 1962 and is now vested in the Mid-Western Health Board under the provisions of the Health Act 1970.

In 1988 the Mid-Western Health Board agreed to lease the property to the OPW and to allow it to be used as a depot. It is primarily used for the storage of transport equipment. The OPW has been in communication with the archivist for Clare County Council in connection with her plans to locate an archive in the building and advised that it is willing to relinquish its lease on the former workhouse. However, alternative suitable accommodation would be required by the OPW and the council has been requested to assist in this regard.

The OPW is willing to share accommodation with Clare County Council at any of its premises within a reasonable distance from Corofin. On provision of a suitable alternative premises the former workhouse can be vacated within a short timeframe. The OPW has examined its existing property portfolio and has been unable to identify a suitable alternative. My office is open to further discussions with the council to examine all avenues with regard to the Senator's proposal for the protected structure.