Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I seek an update on the transfer of Elizabeth Fort in Cork city to Cork City Council.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter. Elizabeth Fort, which I visited recently, is an Elizabethan star fort at Barrack Street in Cork city. Located close to St. Finbarr's cathedral, it is of considerable historical significance and possesses commanding views of the city and its surroundings. A functioning Garda station, known as Barrack Street Garda station, is located within the walls of the fort.

The fort has been identified by Cork City Council as being of particular relevance in developing its tourism strategy. Discussions have been ongoing between the Commissioners of Public Works and the council and it has been agreed in principle that access to the fort, and in particular to the ramparts with their magnificent views, will be made available to the council by way of licence for the purposes of opening them up to the public. A draft licence is awaited from the council and, once a licence is completed by both parties, it is understood that the council plans to run educational tours of the fort initially, as a preparatory step to opening it up more extensively.

Any proposal for a permanent transfer of ownership of the fort to the council will depend on agreement on terms and conditions between the commissioners and the council, including, in particular, the relocation of the Garda station to suitable alternative premises. It is understood that the council is formulating proposals in this regard for submission to the Office of Public Works.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply and for all his work in the OPW on this and other issues. I know of his passion with regard to Daniel O'Connell in Kerry has helped enormously in Derrynane and Caherdaniel. We look forward to welcoming him back to Kerry again.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for his very kind remarks. The OPW is keen to move this issue on. Significant public investment was made in the ramparts some years ago by the OPW and of late people have not had an opportunity to see the views of Cork. I have taken a particular interest in this. Given the fact that we do not have the money to have tour guides there I am more than happy for Cork City Council to do so if we come to an agreement on the licence. I am grateful for the opportunity to state publicly in the House that once work on this licence has been completed by both parties we will be able to move into a more constructive phase when the city council can take guarded ownership of the site and use it for its tourism potential.