Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely share the frustration and do not equivocate on that. Apart from the unresolved planning matters, however, significant preparatory work remains to be done, with designs to be finalised, before tenders can be invited. It would be remiss of me or the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, to make promises that might later turn out to have been unduly optimistic, but I will absolute convey the sentiments the Senator expressed.

I want to touch on what has been done over recent months since we last spoke in this Chamber about this issue. Following the public tender competition, an interpretation and exhibition consultant has been engaged to shape and provide key design input into the future visitor experience at the site. This is an especially key role and the OPW is delighted to have secured a leading international firm of significant repute to fill this important position within the design team. A full digital survey has been undertaken and this will provide detailed photographic and digital mapping information that will be a key resource to the project, a complete record of the buildings as they stand and an essential record of the baseline state of the properties that will have multiple uses both practically and to provide a record of the physical fabric. Finally, and perhaps most important, a timber specialist is being engaged to carry out a survey of all the wooden elements within the houses and to provide expert advice on their current state and recommendations to ensure their conservation.