Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 October 2024
86. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to seek an interim report on the Saint Laurence's Gate appraisal being carried out by the OPW; if he will the indicate the findings of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39462/24]
View answerThe St. Laurence’s Gate building is a Barbican, a remnant of a guardhouse forming part of the ancient Drogheda City Walls. It is owned by Louth County Council and is a National Monument, Number 511, in the Guardianship of the Office of Public Works.
The OPW's position in relation to St Laurence's Gate has been communicated previously. Currently there is no appraisal being carried out by the OPW. As indicated to the Deputy in a previous Parliamentary Reply, Number 1345/23 of 19th January 2023, a substantial and complex project would be required to address the issues identified in an OPW-commissioned structural report which was published in 2017. This report was widely shared with local public representatives at the time.
The OPW understands that Louth Co. Council is currently working on an Urban Realm Improvement Project, which includes the area around the structure, for which they will have to secure Ministerial Consent from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to proceed. The OPW is happy to engage constructively with both the Local Authority and the Department in this regard as it progresses.
As with all National Monuments in State care, the OPW will continue to carry out routine maintenance and conservation of this monument, in line with legislative obligations.
