Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question which we have previously discussed in the House. As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 823 of 18 September, there is no change in my Department's position. The sale and any apportionment of the property into lots are commercial matters for the vendor.

Through the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, my Department manages a property portfolio in respect of national parks and reserves of approximately 87,000 ha. These important biodiversity areas are located all around the country and include a large area of County Wicklow and the 5,000 acres of lands in Glenasmole and the Featherbeds purchased in recent years. Given the limited resources available for capital investment within the national parks and nature reserves, I recognise the need to focus on the core responsibilities in the management of the existing national parks and reserve lands. While the lands in question would represent a significant addition to the stock of publicly owned heritage properties and lands, my Department could only consider acquiring the property if the price fell to within a certain range,or in the context of a donation or bequest. This is known to the vendors. Clearly, the Glenasmole purchase of 5,000 acres of land sets a precedent and, although the circumstances pertaining to it are very dissimilar, it is certainly a market factor. As the Deputy will no doubt appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to seek to negotiate indirectly or publicly. Suffice it to say I am absolutely aware of the public good value of the property.

My Department's relationship with the Guinness estate here and more generally has been positive. It is one of mutual respect and being good neighbours and often of working together on shared issues of interest. They include herd management and husbandry, habitat oversight, film-making, signage, visitor accommodation, trail maintenance and designation management. For the most part, the boundary between the private estate and the national park is invisible to the visitor and tourist, with pre-eminence being given to the idyllic shared land, lake and mountain-scape. My officials remain in constructive contact with the agents for the vendors in this matter.

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