Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1361: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in respect of a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the nature of the delay in this project; if a working group was set up between the community, the OPW and the council; when he expects the planning process for the project to be sorted out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1446/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A sum of €3.81 million has been allocated by my Department under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for the construction of a new visitor centre to serve Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo. This is Ireland's sixth national park, established in 1998, and it incorporates some 11,800 hectares of blanket bog. An attractive and extensive site of 42.3 hectares has been purchased by my Department for the visitor centre in the village of Ballycroy. To advance the project in a spirit of co-operation and mutual understanding, a working group consisting of officials of my Department as well as representatives of local community and tourism groups, Mayo County Council and the Office of Public Works was established and has met frequently, most recently on 13 December 2004.

A planning application for the proposed visitor centre was lodged with Mayo County Council by the Office of Public Works on behalf of my Department last summer. Additional detailed information requested by the council is being finalised at present and I expect that this will be supplied to Mayo County Council by mid-February at the latest. Subject to planning approval being obtained, I am optimistic that this project can proceed and that Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo, will have an excellent new visitor centre before long.