Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I refer briefly to Oldbridge House. I congratulate the OPW and its staff there who do tremendous work. It is a major tourism attraction and benefit to the community of east Meath and south Louth, being located on the county border. Aisling and her team there do tremendous work. I brought my children there at Hallowe'en and there were things in terms of children's entertainment one would not have expected the State to provide, but it was fantastic. Hundreds of families enjoy the amenity every day during the summer.

There was a proposal I promoted when we were in government and which the former Minister of State, Brian Hayes, supported to install a playground at Oldbridge estate. The OPW had a proposal to provide substantial funds in the range of six figures on condition that Meath County Council would also provide some money. As far as I can tell, the local authority has always rejected any suggestion that it would offer a share of funding as the playground at Oldbridge would benefit villages in Meath that Meath County Council could not supply with playgrounds for various reasons. It would also benefit a number of villages in Louth and Drogheda. I am thinking of Donore, Slane and the general east Meath area. Given that the OPW has the funds and the planning permission, would it not be better to provide a smaller playground and forget about the Meath County Council contribution? It would provide a huge benefit to the site in terms of attracting visitors. Children could play while parents looked at the house and visited the restaurant. It would attract more people. Is it possible for the OPW to do a solo run on this and to provide the playground itself? It would be very welcome in the area.