Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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This wonderful project originated on the initiative of the late Dr. Bill Mangan, who was a trustee of long standing and a former chairman. This historic island in the lake of learning, Lough Leane, fascinated him as indeed it does us all. He was particularly interested in the monks' way of life and the world-renowned Annals of Innisfallen, which were written there and are now preserved in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. The annals make reference to the island monastery in the year 1010, even though the monks were known to be on the island for some hundreds of years before that. The good doctor's main interest however, was in the island gardens and their cultivation. He had a particular interest in the herbs which were believed to have important medicinal properties and hence this botanical survey and hopefully the significant information it will reveal.

Innisfallen is famous for the beauty of its woods and among the species found there are oak, ash, holly and arbutus. It is believed that the Innisfallen community adopted the rule of St. Augustine during the monastic reforms of the 12th century when the monastery became known as the Priory of St. Mary. The monastery is believed to have survived until 1652 but was finally abandoned with the coming of the Cromwellians.

The significance of this ancient island with its historic ruins together with its rich array of plants, flowers and trees is of tremendous importance to all. The island has remained largely undisturbed for more than 100 years and this survey will greatly improve the cultural heritage experience of visitors to Killarney and the kingdom of Kerry. The island is an integral part of Killarney National Park and managed jointly by the Office of Public Works and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. I do not believe we should have two Departments involved and I hope the next Government will decide to amalgamate them again. It does not lead to best practice and sometimes because of human nature civil servants engage in turf wars, etc. I am sure that recommendation is in the mind of the Government.

Valuable repair work has been carried out on the monuments by the Office of Public Works. In addition to the rare herbs already mentioned, the island also contains many mosses and orchids. I look forward to the encouraging words of the Minister of State for this project. To avoid any possible accusation of conflict, I add that I have been a trustee of Muckross House for a number of years and was honoured to have been chairman in the past.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Roche, and I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I know the Senator has a keen interest in Innisfallen through his role both as an Oireachtas Member and as a past chairman and one of the trustees of Muckross House.

Innisfallen Island is located at Lough Leane within Killarney National Park, which is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A monastery was founded on the island, reputedly by St. Finian, in the 7th century. The monastery became an important seat of learning and the Annals of Innisfallen, a major source of information on the early history of Ireland, were written or at least completed there between the 11th and 13th centuries. In addition to a 12th century oratory with a fine Romanesque doorway, there are remains of extensive monastic buildings, probably from a slightly later period when it became an Augustinian priory.

The monastic buildings on Innisfallen Island are maintained for public access as important national monuments under the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. National park personnel co-operate closely with OPW staff in order to afford the monuments full protection and to ensure that the management of the monuments and surrounding national park lands are mutually agreed. I heard what the Senator said about turf wars. However, this Administration has been highly successful in having joined-up government despite the obvious temptation at times by some officials to——

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I will talk to the Minister of State on the margins later.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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——consider issues from their own perspective. Some challenges remain for us all.

In addition to its historic interest, the island is also known for its many plants, and herbs which, as the Senator said, were thought to be useful to the monks because of their medicinal properties. There is a suite of old botanical records associated with the monastic settlement, the earliest of which dates from 1756. There are also old records of very large yew, ash and holly trees that may merit further study. A group from the Botanical Society of the British Isles visited the island in 2005 to record the species of plants found there. However, there remains a need to conduct a more comprehensive survey of the flora, vegetation and habitats in the area.

The Department is working with the trustees of Muckross House on an interesting joint research project at Innisfallen Island which will include, among other things, a botanical survey. A committee has been established which is being chaired by the national parks and wildlife service and which includes members of the trustees of Muckross House and other experts with relevant knowledge and experience. Following an open tender process, a contract will shortly be awarded to the most suitable candidate to carry out a comprehensive botanical survey of the island with a view to obtaining the fullest information on the ancient monastic settlement and the lives of the monks, particularly in regard to their cultivation of the island gardens and the rare herbs, mosses and orchids that occur there. This survey to due to begin shortly and the Minister looks forward to its expected completion by October this year. Given his long interest and involvement with the trustees, I am aware the Senator awaits the outcome of that survey with great interest. That should be completed by October. I thank Senator Coghlan for raising this issue on the Adjournment. From his involvement with the trustees, it is obvious that this area is of deep concern to him.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I am very grateful to the Minister of State for taking this on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and thank him for his kind words. As he said, we all look forward to what is hoped will be a very good outcome.