Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 737: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a proposal to have the Great Blasket Island declared a national monument or park; the development issues that this involves: and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32395/05]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 764: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the State's proposals for the future of the Great Blasket Island. [32913/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 737 and 764 together.

To properly secure and promote the cultural, archaeological, built and natural heritage of An Blascaod Mór, the Government approved in July 2005 the early purchase of the majority of land interests on the island for €1.7 million to be provided from within the existing heritage capital allocation of my Department. The Office of Public Works is engaged in ongoing negotiations for this purpose and it is expected these will be completed in 2006. The future promotion and management of the island will also be a matter for the OPW. The development of the piers on the island and at Dún Chaoin is a matter for the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. There are no plans to declare An Blascaod Mór a national monument or park.