Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for the retention and protection of the Turoe Stone at its present location in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32700/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In May 2008 my Department received a further report on the condition of the Turoe Stone commissioned by the Office of Public Works (OPW) from one of the country's foremost stone conservation experts. The report re-emphasised the continuing threat to the integrity of the Stone, arising from the unsatisfactory nature of the current conditions in which it is kept. The Department had previously proposed an alternative location for this national monument in the Galway City Museum but this proposal met with considerable local opposition in the area where the Stone is currently located. In the circumstances a number of interim, possible alternative locations in County Galway were inspected by my Department and OPW. However, none of these were found to meet the conditions necessary to protect the integrity of the Stone into the future.

The most recent report on the Stone's condition and the outcome of the site inspections were relayed to Galway City and County Councils and the Director of the National Museum in May 2008. My Department's letter to the County Council indicated that we are prepared to consider the future arrangements for the conservation and curation of the Turoe Stone in the context of any plans or proposals the Council might have for the provision of a premises which would provide for a permanent suitable location within the County. A response from the local authority is awaited.

In the absence of any such proposals, my Department is of the view that there may be no alternative but to revisit the original proposals for the relocation of the Stone to the Galway City Museum and its replacement by a high quality replica at Turoe, subject to a review of these arrangements should proposals for the provision of a suitable premises in County Galway emerge at some time in the future. However, before any final decision is taken, I intend to consult further with the Galway local authorities and with community representatives in the area where the Stone is currently located.