Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. Elizabeth Fort, which I visited recently, is an Elizabethan star fort at Barrack Street in Cork city. Located close to St. Finbarr's cathedral, it is of considerable historical significance and possesses commanding views of the city and its surroundings. A functioning Garda station, known as Barrack Street Garda station, is located within the walls of the fort.

The fort has been identified by Cork City Council as being of particular relevance in developing its tourism strategy. Discussions have been ongoing between the Commissioners of Public Works and the council and it has been agreed in principle that access to the fort, and in particular to the ramparts with their magnificent views, will be made available to the council by way of licence for the purposes of opening them up to the public. A draft licence is awaited from the council and, once a licence is completed by both parties, it is understood that the council plans to run educational tours of the fort initially, as a preparatory step to opening it up more extensively.

Any proposal for a permanent transfer of ownership of the fort to the council will depend on agreement on terms and conditions between the commissioners and the council, including, in particular, the relocation of the Garda station to suitable alternative premises. It is understood that the council is formulating proposals in this regard for submission to the Office of Public Works.