Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate what the Deputy has said. I would also like to thank the staff in the OPW. They have worked tirelessly on this issue over the past number of years. As the Deputy knows, former Ministers worked on this. Our staff have always been there. Since my appointment, my staff have been to the forefront in trying to deliver this and to get Castletown House back open. I appreciate the Deputy's kind words and thank him for them. It is about going forward.

The OPW is frequently criticised. We take some of the criticism, not just in respect of Castletown House but across the sector. We do a very good job. I know the workmanship and craftsmanship on the sites I have visited and the good work that our staff do, in particular, Rosemary Collier, John Cullen and my colleague, Jim Casey, on the flooding side.

We want to deliver for the country going forward, particularly on the heritage side. I know from talking to the people of Celbridge who have contacted me regularly, they are on the same page as the Deputy and me. We want Castletown open. We want the house opened as well. The members of The Castletown Foundation have put a lot of time and effort in providing the purchase. It was my first time in Castletown two weeks ago. I was blown away by what a good condition the house is in. We need to get it opened for the people of the area and the wider community.