Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I stated, there is an investment of €10 million. Fáilte Ireland has provided €5.2 million. As I told the Senator previously in the House, I was Minister of State with responsibility for tourism when the decision was taken and believe it was the right one. The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is putting up the remaining funds.

We agreed that we would open the centre on a phased basis. We had a great day last year. There was great community spirit when the gardens were opened. Works to the house are now complete. Works to the exhibition and historical rooms are taking a little longer. We are putting pressure on the OPW to have them completed. There is great interest in Killarney where people want to have the house open this summer. I am putting pressure on the OPW to have it ready, with the exhibition rooms, if we can, but it is taking longer than expected to complete.

There is no problem with funding. My understanding is that €10 million was the sum that was required. Like every development that has ever taken place in the country, there may be a knock-on effect with people looking for more than they looked for at the beginning, but everything is being resolved. I am confidence that the house will be opened and we are trying to have the exhibition and historical rooms opened as quickly as possible. There may be some problems, but they are being dealt with.