Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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650. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht why she has ceased negotiations on the purchase of Granard Motte, despite Longford County Council having made a significant contribution towards the purchase cost, and given the huge benefit of having a national monument in State ownership, if she will re-open negotiations with a view to bringing this to a satisfactory conclusion, even if this means going down the route of a compulsory purchase order; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43562/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 665 of 23 June 2015. Unfortunately, negotiations with the owner on behalf of my Department and Longford County Council had recently to be suspended in the absence of agreement on a purchase price for the monument, having regard to value for public money and the official valuation of the property.

I have, however, informed the Council that I would be happy for my Department to re-engage in further negotiations in the event of there being any indications that such discussions might have a prospect of success and that the Council should advise my Department accordingly.