Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State, Deputy John Perry, for taking this matter on the Adjournment. It relates to the opening of Athenry medieval castle for the use and benefit of the people of Athenry who want to host a social evening at the castle to mark a twinning event in the town on Thursday, 15 August 2013.

Athenry tourism committee has been working extremely hard since its inception to revive the tourism industry in Athenry. At a time when many commercial units have closed and unemployment has increased, I like to see its verve and enthusiasm for this type of project in order that it can encourage people to visit the historical and medieval town. The committee has gone to great lengths to revive tourism in the area. This would be a welcome departure for the town which has suffered badly.

On 15 August 2013, Athenry is twinning with the Canadian town, Renews, in Newfoundland, the home town of the Canadian ambassador, Mr. Loyola Hearn. Much work has gone into the project to bring it to fruition. I have been involved with the committee. The list of dignitaries on the day will include the Canadian ambassador and his wife, Mrs. Maureen Hearn, Pete St. John, the songwriter who wrote the "The Fields of Athenry", Dr. Hadyn James of the Welsh Rugby Choir, Mr. Don McNeil, chairperson of the Ulster Canada initiative, Mr. Michael Blanch, chairperson of the Commemoration of Irish Famine Victims, members of the county council, local representatives and members of the community. It is intended to have a live link-up with the residents in Renews, and it is widely felt by the committee and members of the community in Athenry that it is necessary to show off the very best of what Athenry has to offer as a means of stimulating further tourism and economic activity.

Athenry is a medieval town with a medieval castle but it has not been used previously on such occasions. The tourism committee considers that a medieval style banquet to cater for approximately 50 people would augur well and that the castle would be the ideal venue for this momentous occasion. It is the first time that Athenry has been twinned with a town outside Europe and it is a big deal. That we have the support of the Canadian ambassador is welcome. As I have stated, there is no question of food being prepared in the castle but merely brought in by outside caterers. Therefore, there should be no difficulty with health and safety or environmental issues. On that basis the committee has asked me to raise the matter in the House because it feels the event should take place in the castle.

I welcome the opportunity to put the matter to the House and look forward to the Minister of State's reply.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I compliment the Senator for raising a fantastic idea. I compliment everybody involved in community regeneration and tourism because it is all about the empowerment of communities. The date of 15 August is very important as it is my birthday and I might even join in the celebrations that day.

Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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We will extend an invitation to the Minister of State.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Athenry Castle dates from the early 13th century. It was constructed originally by the de Bermingham family and survived until the 1640s when it was effectively destroyed by Cromwellian forces. The castle is a national monument and one of 70 heritage sites where the OPW provides guide services to visitors. Last year an impressive total of 9,455 people visited the castle. The OPW is keen to see the figure increase and attract more footfall. The Senator should know that we are anxious to encourage more visitors and events at the castle, particularly during the year of The Gathering.

Last year the Minister launched the community involvement initiative which hopes to involve local communities and groups in heritage sites under the care of the OPW. Difficulties will arise with individual suggestions from time to time. The OPW is committed to directly engaging with local communities on the use of all of these sites but that can only happen when a proposal is suitable, safe and sustainable. The event proposed by the Senator involves serving food and drink, presumably including alcohol, to up to 80 guests in suitable large areas in the castle. The national monuments service of the OPW has informed the Minister that the castle is unsuitable for the proposed event.

The keep at Athenry is the principal area available. Access can only be gained via a narrow external staircase on the outside wall of the building. Were the event to be held at the location, guests and food service staff would potentially have to negotiate the same route at the same time. This would be fraught with some difficulty and inconvenience and is totally impractical. The toilets would be located just off the reception area on the ground floor. They would be difficult to access easily and confusion and congestion on the stairs would inevitably result.

The other area that might be considered suitable is the undercroft or basement area. It poses difficulties in terms of its confined nature and lack of circulation space once furniture is installed. The area also lacks heating and lighting and mitigates against the undercroft being used for an event such as the one suggested. The OPW has suggested that installing temporary heating, power and lighting would ruin the ambience that the promoters seek to create, would create a hazard and would not lead to a successful event.

Most crucially, from the point of view of safety, the undercroft area at Athenry does not have an adequate fire escape for the event. The space is unfurnished and essentially empty. It does not present a similar difficulty for groups of tourists that are led by an OPW guide during the daytime. It would be an entirely different prospect were there need for an emergency evacuation of a large group of people unfamiliar with the building and having to navigate to a remote exit around furniture, temporary power cables, heating units and other obstacles.

I can see the attraction in having the event at Athenry. I can assure the Senator that the OPW is aware of what the sponsors want to do. With that in mind, the OPW has adopted a creative approach and may have come up with a satisfactory solution. Instead of using the castle as the focal point for the event, for which the OPW believes the castle is completely unsuitable, the building should be used as a backdrop. The event could be staged in the grounds of the castle. Perhaps a marquee could be erected for the evening. Catering and services could be provided, and the whole physical logistics could be managed professionally and safely, by any number of event planners. The castle would be a stunning backdrop for the evening. It could, for example, support the event by providing toilet facilities and guided tours. The OPW could, in this scenario, keep the castle open late on the day and provide guided tours for guests either before or after the dinner event. This may not be what the organisers had in mind. However, when they analyse the pros and cons of both proposals, they will conclude that an event in the castle would be fraught with difficulties for the reasons that I have suggested. There is a level of expense associated with hiring a marquee, etc. Inevitably, there would be similar costs involved in setting up temporary light and power and providing furniture, etc., for diners in spaces within the castle walls.

In order for the proposal to be brought to fruition the organisers need to have a deeper engagement with my officials on matters such as risk management, stewarding, insurance requirements, etc. Opening the site later would mean the OPW would have to pay for extra staff, overtime, etc., and such matters must be addressed. These are details that can be worked out with co-operation. I invite the Senator to engage with the organisers and to give the OPW a revised proposal, perhaps along these lines. I can assure her that Department officials will be happy to work with them to ensure a successful and enjoyable event that will showcase Athenry Castle and the town in a very positive and exciting way.

Marie Moloney (Labour)
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I shall allow Senator Higgins to ask a supplementary question.

Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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I welcome the response of the Minister of State and the approval to open the castle for the event, albeit in limited circumstances. This is the first time that the people of Athenry have sought its opening so I expect that every effort will be made to facilitate them. I welcome the suggestion of guided tours and the possibility of a marquee being allowed on the grounds of the castle and within the curtilage of the site. That is great news for the Athenry tourism committee. A marquee means that some expense will be incurred.

I had hoped that the Minister's answer would not amount to a constructive refusal to open the castle. A number of concerns were outlined and a request made for "a deeper engagement with my officials on matters such as risk management, stewarding, insurance requirements", and bringing in extra staff. I hope that the Minister will work with us to ensure that the event goes ahead and is a complete success for the people of Athenry. This is the first time that the people of Athenry have sought the opening of the castle to showcase it on a national and international scale. Everything should be done to market it on an international scale and to ensure that the enthusiasm and the verve shown by its people will be facilitated by the Department.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Senator of that. The Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, stated in the reply that this was a unique opportunity and a fantastic idea. Ballymote Castle dates back to the 1300s and a similar event was held there using a marquee adjoined to the castle. The main requirement for Athenry Castle involves the logistics of hiring a marquee and installing facilities which are important for public liability cover. If it is a community-based limited company then there should be no problem extending insurance to meet the concerns of the OPW. Obviously the OPW will have its own insurance for guided tours. The event will not create more barriers to providing guided tours through the castle because there will be no catering facilities provided within the castle. The event has received the imprimatur of the Government and the Minister to ensure that the day goes ahead successfully. The clear message to the committee is that the castle is theirs to use as a facility. The committee must sit down with the officials and work out the logistics in a business like manner. We have not given ten reasons it cannot be done. We have given one reason it is available. Clearly, it is up to the committee to engage with the Minister and work with officials to work out what is required in order to make the event possible. I suggest that the Senator and the committee move on that straight away.

Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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I commend the Minister of State for his enthusiasm for the project that will take place on his birthday, 15 August. The people of Athenry will welcome him wholeheartedly to the town.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I may take the Senator up on her offer.

Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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Will the Minister of State ask his colleague, Deputy Hayes, to supply my office with a contact name in order to avoid unnecessary delays and get the project moving in the right direction immediately?

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I have no further input. I thank the Senator.

Marie Moloney (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State and the Senator.