Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the numbers, Maynooth Castle gets approximately 22,000 visitors per annum. There is an issue there regarding toilet facilities. Twenty-two thousand is a lot visitors. It is clear that number can be increased. As I said, the issue there is as basic as the provision of toilet facilities. Kildare County Council is one of the most well-off local authorities in the country in the sense that it has one of the largest rates bases. Maynooth is one of the largest towns in the county. It has the potential for a great deal of tourism in terms of the ecclesiastical college and university. I am sure the CEO of Kildare County Council, given that he has the deepest pockets of any local authority manager in the country, could find it within his budget to provide toilet facilities at Maynooth Castle. I am sure that through engagement of the CEO with the OPW locally money could be found for the provision of toilet facilities for the up to 22,000 visitors mentioned. The only way that number of visitors can go is upwards. I am sure the Deputy will be able to facilitate a meeting between the CEO of Kildare County Council and OPW staff locally and that the council will be able to find the money for the toilet facilities.