I wish to ask a question that has been recurring in the Dáil Chamber in the past few weeks. It relates to the transfer of Shannon Heritage to the local authorities in the mid-west, principally Clare County Council. I acknowledge that the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has been forthcoming in engaging with us in the county about the matter. I went to meet the workers again last weekend. They find themselves caught in the middle. There is an interdepartmental working group and a local authority and a Shannon Airport group which will pass over to Clare County Council in due course. They find themselves in a state of limbo. The infrastructure in the folk park is deteriorating. I saw the historic main gate of the castle is now propped up with concrete blocks. It has been neglected and is not being looked after. The transfer needs to happen. We need a definitive answer about what will happen and when the interdepartmental group will conclude its work and give a recommendation to Government.

I accept the Deputy's points. They are well made. He has been advocating strongly for quite some time for this to be brought to a conclusion. I understand that officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have liaised with Clare County Council regarding the potential for some support from the local government fund. Funding for the National Monuments Service's approved conservation works at Bunratty Castle could also be considered. Officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will continue to engage with the interdepartmental working group and Clare County Council to support progress in transferring the remaining Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council. Some have come over but the Deputy is right about the castle. It is an issue of funding. I know we have to bring it to a conclusion. The transfer makes sense. I take the Deputy's point that the council wants to make sure that it is not caught short in the years to come in respect of this. I know the Minister is innovative and responsive at the best of times. One would hope he could find deep in the well some means to resolve this issue.