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

If the Deputies want to contact my Department, we can go through the normal routes. I will not answer questions, such as the question asked by Deputy Burton, on the floor of the House. Suffice to say that my office is available for people to contact and to make appointments at any stage.

I remind the House that in 2016 my Department negotiated the extension of Wicklow Mountains National Park by purchasing almost 4,900 acres of Dublin uplands at Glenasmole at a cost of €800,000.

This specific house is recorded in the national inventory of architectural heritage and is rated as being of regional importance. My Department has also entered into a strategic partnership with Fáilte Ireland to finalise a tourism interpretive master plan.

This is a beautiful place, as both Deputies mentioned, but that does not mean the Department is in a position to purchase it. I would purchase every beautiful estate in the country if I could, but I am not in a position to do so. The vendors are aware of that. We have discussed this previously on the floor of the House. If the price falls within a certain range and my Department is in a position to purchase it, we will certainly consider doing so.

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