Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Táim fíor-bhuíoch den Leas-Chathaoirleach as an deis a thabhairt dom an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú ar an Tosú inniu. Tá a lán moill ag baint leis an rud seo agus ba cheart don Aire Stáit an scéal a thabairt dúinn faoin méid atá ag tarlú.

I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this matter in respect of the submission of the town of Kells and its monastic sites, among others, as part of a tentative list of properties for future nomination to the world heritage list. The Brú na Bóinne site, comprising Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth in County Meath, is a world heritage site. Under the previous Government, work was done in 2008 to nominate other properties for submission to UNESCO, the international body that classifies places as world heritage sites. The monastic site at Kells was included as part of a list of early medieval monastic sites in Ireland. There are a number of such sites, including Clonmacnoise, Durrow, Glendalough, Inis Cealtra, Kells and Monasterboice. Kells, or Ceanannas Mór, is where St. Colmcille established a religious settlement in 550 AD It is one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. There are a number of buildings and places of interest in Kells, including St. Colmcille's house, the Kells monastic site, the Market Cross and the round tower.All of these symbols are synonymous with the town of Kells. Will the Minister of State give an update on what has happened since 2010 when the application for world heritage status for the town and its archaeological site was made? When the application was made in 2010, we were told by the then Minister, John Gormley, that the site would have to be on a tentative list for at least one year before it could be inscribed as world heritage site. We were also told that it would take at least two years for this process.

I know from those who have raised questions about other sites, which have been put forward for tentative status, that it appears precious little has been done by the Minister responsible for it. Talking to some of the local councillors in Kells, it has not appeared on any local authority agenda since the last local elections. I would have thought the local authority would have been a key partner with the Department Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in ensuring the Kells monastic site receives world heritage status.

A significant amount of work has been done in the town of Kells over the past five years by voluntary and community groups, including the Tourism Forum, the Local Heroes programme and many others, to promote the town. They should not be left in a vacuum. The ultimate responsibility lies with the Minister and the local authority. I would be grateful for an update on this position.