Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 907: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 768 of 26 June 2007, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the authorities of a college (details supplied) in County Kildare directed their agents to reopen negotiations on the sale of a plot of land to enable the provision of additional facilities at Maynooth Castle; and the reason this offer to reopen the sale of the plot of land is not being taken up. [28529/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Extensive restoration works have been carried out to Maynooth Castle to date, representing an investment of some €2 million. These works have facilitated visitor access and the provision of a guide service. The site is currently open on a seasonal basis to visitors.

My Department has been advised by the Office of Public Works (OPW), which is responsible for the day to day management of Maynooth Castle, that the provision of additional facilities is best achieved by the acquisition of land adjoining the Castle. The OPW has, however, no specific proposals at present to purchase this additional land having regard to visitor numbers at the Castle and funding priorities generally.