On the eve of the 1916 Rising anniversary, Minister for Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív has been criticised for failing to build a promised commemorative centre at Pádraic Pearse's Connemara summer cottage.
However, Mr Ó Cuív says plans for the centre, close to the Pearse Cottage in Rosmuc, are in the hands of Dúchas, under Minister for the Environment Dick Roche.
The criticism was levelled by Galway county councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig (Ind), who says Mr Ó Cuív "presented the project in a fanfare of publicity" as part of the National Development Plan before the last election in 2002.
Former arts minister Síle de Valera had earmarked €1.2 million for the project, and Cllr Ó Cuaig said Mr Ó Cuív "went so far as to announce 2004 as its completion date". An additional €1 million was approved by Údarás na Gaeltachta.
However, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government said in 2004 it was "reviewing" the plans for the centre, which would have included a reception area, an exhibition and audiovisual facility and cafe.
A department spokesman told The Irish Times this week it was "still in discussions with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs" about the project, but that Mr Roche had signalled that the "focus was elsewhere" this year.
Pearse spent much time at the cottage between 1903 and 1915, and it was there he wrote his historic speech for O'Donovan Rossa's grave. It is open for four months each year, houses an exhibition and some Pearse mementos, and is maintained by Dúchas.
