Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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320. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to close Saint Laurence's Gate in Drogheda, County Louth, to vehicular traffic to protect and preserve the structure of this ancient and historical gate, which is listed as a national monument. [16835/16]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As I have indicated in recent Parliamentary responses, (Questions numbers 12405/16; 12490/16 & 13497/16) the Office of Public Works, which is responsible for the care and maintenance of the St. Laurence’s Gate National Monument in Drogheda, is in favour of closing the roadway beneath it to vehicular traffic so as to better protect the structure from the effects of collisions by passing traffic. However, this is not a measure that the OPW can effect as the closure of roads is a matter solely for the elected members of Louth Co. Council to decide, in conjunction with the Executive of the Local Authority. There is also, I understand, in cases such as this where a road closure is proposed, an extensive public consultation process involved.

Officials of the Office of Public Works and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht have recently been in touch with the Louth Co. Council and have sought a meeting with them in order to put their views directly to them and consult with them in relation to future plans for this Monument.