Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The acquisition of properties, such as the one referenced in the Question, is considered within the context of available resources which includes public expenditure management considerations. In all cases, my Department examines any potential acquisition carefully, taking into account any works required, such as conservation works, and the short and long term cost of acquisition and maintenance to the Exchequer, and as such, my Department is only ever in a position to make a very limited number of acquisitions in any given year.

I can confirm that my Department has visited the site recently and there has been exploratory discussions with the Office of Public Works regarding the site referred to. The National Monuments Service of my Department works in close partnership with the Office of Public Works in respect of the management and maintenance of monuments in State care. This matter will be discussed with Mayo County Council in due course.