I want to raise the issue of the neolithic passage tombs at Loughcrew, Oldcastle, County Meath. These have some of the most beautiful examples of neolithic art in Ireland but remain closed to the public. I have dealt with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, and now the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, on this. We do not seem to be getting anywhere. Fair play to the Minister of State, Deputy Moran; he is babysitting today. Maybe he can get him a full-time job at that. I have written on three occasions to the Minister of State who has responsibility for the OPW urging prompt action to secure the necessary works at Cairn T. After no response, I submitted a parliamentary question seeking accountability and a clear timeline, yet the reply I received concerns what many already feared. Stabilisation works require ministerial consent and even then the reopening hinges on a future date that is not defined. The public will not be able to access the interior of Cairn T in 2026 and the definitive timeline remains up in the air, with the site having been closed to the public since 2018. That is coming up on eight years now. I ask the three Ministers of State who have come and gone since I first raised this to honour their responsibilities, act with urgency and give Cairn T the urgent care it deserves. We owe it to all who stood on the hill of Loughcrew over the past 5,500 years. I ask for nothing less than action and a clear plan to once again open one Meath's biggest and best attractions.
Sentiment score: 0.22