The Government has ruled out the outright purchase from the Gore-Booth family of Lissadell House, Co Sligo, after government sources said the acquisition could cost the Exchequer up to €30 million, writes Arthur Beesley, Political Reporter.
In yet another mark of the deterioration in the public finances, the Government is now seeking a partner from the voluntary or private sector to co-fund the acquisition of the childhood home of the patriot Countess Markievicz.
The Government has been under pressure from heritage groups nationally and in Co Sligo to buy the historic house and an adjoining 400 acres of land for the State. Such groups have emphasised the historical role of Countess Markievicz, the poetry of her sister Eva Gore-Booth and their links to the poet W.B. Yeats.
However, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, told the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that his officials had estimated the overall cost of acquiring and repairing the property to be in the region of €26 million-€30 million.
Government sources said yesterday that the purchase of the house, excluding its contents, would cost €3.75 million.
The cost of its contents were estimated at €1 million.
Government sources said Mr Cullen outlined the €30 million figure in an aide-memoire to the Cabinet. Such a figure is significantly in excess of those mooted by government sources after an initial examination of the site by Mr Cullen's officials.
A senior Government source said: "Given the current economic circumstances, we have concluded that with these cost implications, the full cost cannot be borne by the State alone." The source added: "We have reason to believe that there is interest out there in such an approach. That's something we intend to explore now."
The Government's decision not to buy the house came despite indications some weeks ago that Mr Cullen wanted to include the Office of Public Works and Sligo County Council in a proposal for Government.
However, no decision was sought at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.