Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 877: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the lack of space for graves in a parish (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if, in view of the shortage of space in the local cemetery, he will require the Office of Public Works to facilitate the allocation of land for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26580/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Any proposal to extend the historic graveyard at St. Kevin's Parish, Glendalough would require my consent under the provisions of the National Monuments Acts, 1930 to 2004. There is no application for such consent before my Department.

While I understand that there can be very strong local attachment to historic graveyards, such as the one in St. Kevin's Parish, Glendalough, my Department must examine each application for consent to any extension on a case-by-case basis. Difficulties can arise with extensions to historic graveyards where there is (a) a national monument in the graveyard, (b) evidence of an early ecclesiastical enclosure around the graveyard or (c) the likelihood of archaeological deposits around the graveyard. These difficulties are particularly acute in the case of the graveyard in St. Kevin's Parish because of its proximity to the internationally important complex of monuments at Glendalough. There are also a number of protected natural habitats in the vicinity.

In a case such as this I would encourage the relevant local authority and the local community to consider the option of opening a new graveyard at an alternative location away from the historic site. I am aware that this option has been successfully adopted in a number of areas.