Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the Office of Public Works intend to remove the famous historical Turoe Stone from its present position at Bullaun, Loughrea to Galway City; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the family who own the land around the stone would provide sufficient space free of charge for a proper cover to be erected, that the same landholder will provide their services free of charge as a caretaker to the stone and that the Heritage Council do not agree with its removal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25688/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I refer to the replies to Questions No. 188 of 27 September 2007 and No. 488 of 2 October 2007. The position remains unchanged. The expert advice available to me is that the erection of a cover over the Stone would not be adequate to address the serious deterioration in its condition in the longer-term and that it is essential to move it to an environmentally controlled indoor location, where conditions such as temperature and humidity can be stabilised. The Heritage Council has advised my Department that it has had no involvement in this matter.