Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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207. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reasons for the destruction of the hedgerow on the walkway to the Beltany Stone Circle, Raphoe, County Donegal, a monument under the care of the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16369/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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Beltany Stone Circle, NM 463 in State ownership, is one of Ireland’s most impressive stone circles and the Office of Public Works is responsible for its protection, conservation and management.

The Office of Public Works initially received a complaint in relation to briars growing out onto the walkway up to Beltany Stone Circle. After a site inspection by the District Works team, a decision was made to cut back the briars and gorse. The reason for this was for the Health and Safety of visitors, and in particular, children to the site, and to reduce fire risk in the coming months.

The gorse was cut back in February in time to allow for new growth to take hold. This is the standard practice in the management of public access waypoints to national monuments.