Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghlacadh leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta McGinley. Chuaigh duine óna oifig i dteagmháil liom le rá go raibh aiféala air nach féidir leis bheith i láthair tráthnóna chun na ceiste seo a phlé. Glacaim leis go bhfuil an tAire Stáit gnóthach. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe. I have just mentioned that an official from the office of the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, contacted me to apologise for his inability to come to the House for this debate. He wanted to be here, but he is otherwise engaged. I welcome that assurance. The Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, is a welcome visitor to this House for Adjournment debates.

Many people visit Pearse's Cottage in Ros Muc, which is an OPW site, each year. Pádraig Pearse used to go there when he was taking a break from his work in Dublin. I welcomed the announcement by the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, a number of months ago that a heritage centre will be developed on the Pearse's Cottage site in Connemara in time for the 2016 celebrations. It is badly needed in commemoration of a man who played a huge part in Irish history. Much of the planning of Éirí Amach na Cásca by the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation took place in Ros Muc.

Pádraig Pearse was also known for his educational endeavours, particularly as a pioneer of Irish language education but also as a philosopher, a thinker and a literary giant in the Irish language. It is only right and fitting that he should be commemorated in a centre like that planned for Ros Muc. I know the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, agrees with me that Pearse's Cottage is an essential part of the tourism infrastructure of south Connemara. As part of our efforts to attract tourists to the area and keep them there for as long as possible, we need to give them more of an insight into the heritage and culture of the area.

I would like to know where we are at with the project. Who are the players involved in the development of the project? I understand that the OPW, Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta will be involved in the development. I hope the Minister of State will clarify that in his answer. If this is to be ready by 2016, a budget needs to put in place for it now. Is this being done? What will be the cost of the project? From which fund will these moneys come? Which Department or organisation will provide the money to fund the centre? What is the timescale for the tendering and construction processes and for the ultimate fulfilling of the project? Who will be responsible for the project management?

I am hoping for good news. I am aware that the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, is anxious to ensure the project is completed on time. It is something on which we are all agreed. Tá mé ag súil go mór leis an bhfreagra. Tá súil agam go mbeidh sé dearfach go leor.