Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1990 > Committee of Public Accounts > Final Report - Appropriation Accounts 1988

APPENDIX 45

(A)

MONUMENTS

The term “national monument” is defined in the National Monuments Act, 1930 as follows:

the expression “national monument” means a monument or the remains of a monument the preservation of which is a matter of national importance by reason of the historic, architectural, traditional, artistic, or archaeological interest attaching thereto and also includes (but not so as to limit, extend or otherwise influence the construction of the foregoing general definition) every monument in Saorstát Éireann to which the Ancient Monuments Protection Act, 1882, applied immediately before the passing of this Act, and the said expression shall be construed as including, in addition to the monument itself, the site of the monument and the means of access thereto and also such portion of land adjoining such site as may be required to fence, cover in, or otherwise preserve from injury the monument or to preserve the amenities thereof.

The term “historic monument” is defined in the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1987, as follows:

“historic monument” includes a prehistoric monument and any monument associated with the cultural, economic, industrial, military, religious or social history of the place where it is situated or of the country and also includes all monuments in existence before 1700 A.D. or such later date as the Minister may appoint by regulation.

It will be seen that the term “historic monument” embraces a wider range of monuments. Section 5 of the 1987 Act provides for the compilation of a record of historic monuments and requires that notice be given before any such monuments are interfered with. National Monuments are, in effect, those historic monuments the preservation of which is a matter of national importance.

OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS

(B)

REGISTRY OF DEEDS/KINGS INNS

RESTORATION OF STONEWORK

The Registry of Deeds and Kings Inns are housed under the one roof and separated at ground level by an archway and courtyard giving access to Henrietta Street from Constitution Hill. The building was completed in 1801. It was the last work in Dublin of James Gandon who also designed and supervised the erection of the Custom House, the Four Courts, the Military Infirmary and the Westmoreland Street Facade of the Bank of Ireland.

In the Spring of 1980 it became evident following an architectural inspection that the stone-work on the Registry of Deeds was in a bad condition. Cleaning of the stonework revealed that repairs would be extensive and would include renewal of much of the granite facing. The Office of Public Works informed the Society of the Kings Inns of the position as it was clear that the stone-work on their portion of the building was in a similar condition.

Following consultation with both the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Finance it was decided that the works would be undertaken by the Office of Public Works with the cost of the Registry of Deeds portion of the building, to be funded from the Exchequer. The part occupied by the Society of Kings Inns was to be financed by the Funds of Suitors and in this regard a special Act was passed in the Dáil.

The work consisted of the restoration of decayed granite and portland stone to all elevations of the building, the cutting out of existing defective stones, shoring and supporting good stones and the replacement of metal ties which are prone to rusting with steel ties. It also consisted of the complete pointing of the stone and brick elevations with some renewal of plasterwork, the provision of new lead flashings and groundwork to all stone cornices. Sundry repairs and painting to external windows were also undertaken. Floodlighting is also being provided to enhance the effect of the renewed building.

A contract for the works (which cost just under £1.6 million in total) was placed in January 1986 with Messrs. John Sisk & Son Ltd., Naas Road, Clondalkin, and was certified as practically complete on 14 May 1989. The works were supervised by W. A. Maguire and Partners, Consulting Architects with the help of the Office of Public Works in-house experts and Mr. Junius Horne (Quantity Surveyor).

The works to the Registry of Deeds amounted to £1 million and were charged to Subhead E of Vote 10. The works to the Kings Inns amounted to £600,000 and were financed by the Funds of Suitors. None of the work to the Kings Inns was charged to the Office of Public Works Vote.

OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS.

(C)

FOXES IN IRELAND

The fox is not a protected wild animal within the meaning of section 23(4) of the Wildlife Act, 1976. The export of pelts is however prohibited save under licence granted by the Minister under the Wildlife Act. Foxes may not be hunted by certain methods or devices such as crossbows, unapproved traps or snares or with poison or stupefying bait. The permission of the land-owner must be obtained before entering on any land to hunt or kill foxes.

The fox has traditionally been regarded as an agricultural pest, particularly as a predator on poultry. However as most poultry farming is now carried on in the battery type operation rather than free range farming, this threat has largely diminished as battery units are well protected against attacks by foxes. There are indications however that the fox is a growing problem for sheep farmers in certain areas, particularly with the dramatic increase in sheep farming.

The total number of fox skins exported in 1987/88 was 46,870. Approximately 79 per cent of these were specimens taken from the wild and approximately 21 per cent were produced by fox farms. The species of fox which occurs naturally in Ireland is the Red fox. The species utilised in fox farming include the Artic fox, Silver fox and Red fox. The export figures for 1987/88 were down by approximately 16,000 pelts on those for 1986/87. Returns for 1988/89 are not as yet available but the indications are that the total number exported was less than 15,000. This is directly attributable to a drop in demand for pelts, the prices for which have fallen considerably due to the international “backlash” against animal fur.

The most recent research study commissioned by the Wildlife Services was for the period 1980 to 1985 which indicated that foxes taken for their pelts are predominently juvenile and that more males than females are taken. This study concludes that (a) in view of this and the results of studies undertaken in other countries which have shown that Red fox populations have a considerable capacity for regeneration and expansion and (b) that a large excess of juveniles exists in the main fox hunting period i.e. winter — the killing of foxes for the fur trade only reduces the male component of the juvenile population which is largely surplus.

In the present circumstances, it is considered that the wild fox population is not under threat and that the granting of protected status under the Wildlife Act, 1976 is not warranted.

OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS

(D)

GRAND AND ROYAL CANALS — DUBLIN AREA

PROGRAMME OF WORK

Grand Canal

In addition to the routine works required for the maintenance of the navigation of this canal the following works are planned:

Tree Planting

A project in hands for the planting of approximately 850 trees, of various species, from Grand Canal Bridge to just above Blackhorse Bridge, Inchicore, will be completed.

Cleaning of Bridges

A contract has been placed for the cleaning and repointing of stonework on Baggot Street Bridge. It is hoped to place a similar contract for the cleaning and repointing of the stonework on Leeson Street Bridge shortly.

Removal of Litter and Cutting of Grass

A contract has been placed for the removal of litter from the canal banks and the water channel on a weekly basis from January to end of December, 1990 and for the cutting of the grass banks on a monthly basis from May to October next.

Improvements to canal environment

(1) A detailed scheme has been drawn up for the upgrading of the canal banks in the vicinity of Baggot Street Lock (opposite the Department of Labour, Mespil Road). It is expected that this scheme will be implemented in the near future.

(2) A detailed scheme for landscaping the Dolphin Road stretch of the Grand Canal is at the design stage at present. It is hoped, resources permitting, to implement this scheme by the end of the year.

(3) Work will continue on the general improvement of the banks and towpath of the Circular line of the Grand Canal.

Development of Ringsend Basin

Proposals for the over-all development of Ringsend Basin and the surrounding area are being worked out by the Office of Public Works in consultation with Dublin Corporation Planning Department and other interested bodies. It is hoped to commence work in 1990 on development and up-grading of the areas of which the Office of Public Works has vacant possession.

Royal Canal

It is proposed to reopen to navigation as soon as possible the section of the Royal Canal from Blanchardstown to Spencer Dock where the canal enters the river Liffey.

To enable the proposal to proceed, the following major works will be carried out:

(1) Restoration/replacement of lock-gates

The joint OPW/FÁS project for the replacement of lock-gates between Blanchardstown and Newcomen Bridge (North Strand) will be continued. The sea-lock at Spencer Dock will be restored.

(2) Removal of impediments to Navigation to and from the Liffey

A railway culvert at the North Strand will be replaced. This will be done in cooperation with Iarnród Éireann. Fixtures on Sheriff Street Bridge will be removed in order to provide adequate clearance for navigation. Arrangements are also being made to remove a gas pipe over the canal at Binns Bridge.

(3) Dredging of Canal

It is planned to commence dredging of the canal between Blanchardstown and Spencer Dock in mid-Summer. Dredging operations westward from Blanchardstown will be completed by July of this year.

(4) Improvements to canal environment

A detailed design scheme for landscaping sections of the canal in the Dublin area is being prepared. It is hoped to have the scheme implemented by the end of the year. Improvements to the towpaths are also being planned.

OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS