Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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85. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will investigate an incident involving members of a fox hunt at Hore Abbey, a national monument managed by the national monuments service division of his Department (details supplied); if this constituted trespass; if any damage was caused to the site; and if he will take action to keep hunters away from national monument sites. [15785/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works did not receive any request for permission to access Hore Abbey for this event and indeed was not aware of such an occurrence until it was raised by the Deputy. A site inspection has been undertaken in recent days and I can confirm that there was no damage to the National Monument arising from this reported incident.

The OPW is not in a position to advise whether this constitutes trespass given the openness of the site, but is seeking advice in this regard.

The OPW requires that permission be sought for all events taking place at any National Monument site. In deciding whether to allow use of the property, the OPW has regard to the nature of the event, its appropriateness in terms of form and content and its potential impact on both the image and historic fabric of the National Monument.