Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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62. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of plans to pursue ownership of the Granard Motte. [19973/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the State’s long association with Granard Motte which came into its care in 1926. Because the monument is in my guardianship, as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, it enjoys a high level of protection under the National Monuments Acts. Any ground disturbance or other works at or in proximity to the monument can only take place with my formal consent under those Acts. Also, the Office of Public Works is charged with maintaining the monument and has full access to it for that purpose.

I appreciate the significance of this national monument and its appeal to the people of Longford. I am strongly in favour of full ownership being acquired by the State. Unfortunately previous negotiations towards that end on behalf of my Department and Longford County Council failed to achieve a successful result. In that context, the Deputy will appreciate the constraints of public procurement policy with regard to the purchase price and the requirement for value for money to be achieved.

However, following further communication between my Department, the local authority and the Office of Public Works the negotiations are being reopened and I hope there will be a positive outcome.