§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the old castle and abbey at Athenry, County Galway, has been granted the attention of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Office; and, if so, whether any steps will be taken to preserve these interesting and historical ruins?
SIR JOHN GORSTI have made inquiries with regard to this matter, and have been told that the abbey is not vested in the Board of Works, and the castle does not, therefore, fall within the scope of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act. The Board, therefore, has no 160 power to move in the direction indicated in the hon. Member's question.
§ DR. TANNERMay I ask whether the attention of the former Secretary to the Treasury had been called to this matter, and whether we had not an assurance given us last year that the Board of Works would see to the preservation of historical ruins?
SIR JOHN GORSTIf the promise was given before my term of office I have nothing to do with it. I am not aware of it, but I will make inquiry.