Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will begin on a positive note. I have travelled around the country and I have seen some of the work that has been done by the Office of Public Works and I want to acknowledge the great work it does. However, there is an issue for the office and that is its budget. Where it has a budget and can maintain properties, particularly State-owned properties and properties of historical importance, it does an excellent job. The Department's heritage card, which one can buy for some €40, allows one to visit these marvellous buildings around the country and this is something we should push a lot more because there is a lot about Ireland about which we need to be very proud.

I refer to a comment by the Minister's colleague - Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, or is it Deputy Whelan?