Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this serious issue. Without question, the devastation in Killarney National Park over the weekend, which we all saw on our television screens, was absolutely devastating. It was heartbreaking to see such a beautiful area impacted so severely. It is estimated that about 2,500 ha, which is close to half of the terrestrial area of the habitat, have been extensively damaged. As the Deputy said, that is having a severe impact on flora and fauna. More work is being done to quantify the extent of the damage to the national park.

I extend my deepest appreciation to the NPWS, Kerry fire service, the Air Corps, An Garda Síochána, Killarney Water Rescue and the local meitheal, all of whom worked tirelessly and to extraordinary levels to quench the fires at the weekend. They did heroic work and saved a lot. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and the NPWS will be following up with other authorities, including the Kerry fire service, to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the blaze. The fire spread very rapidly due to the prevailing weather conditions and the cost to wildlife is immeasurable. Thankfully, there was no loss to human life and we welcome that aspect of it.

Spontaneous fires are not a natural phenomenon in Ireland, so the circumstances regarding how this fire started need to be determined. There will be a comprehensive investigation in that regard. I accept the Deputy's point around the need for a strong, visible presence on the ground to discourage and prevent any unauthorised burning in the countryside and to protect the park. Funding for the NPWS has nearly doubled this year. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Minister of State with responsibility for heritage and electoral reform, Deputy Noonan, have decided to accelerate the recruitment of wildlife rangers and to increase the national intake from the recruitment campaign that is under way to 60 new wildlife rangers. That was announced yesterday, and it will mean a significant addition to the NPWS team. That will respond in a positive way to the issues raised by the Deputy.

It was important that the Minister and Minister of State went to the park yesterday to see the damage at first hand and also to pay tribute to all those involved in working to quench the fire. I thank the Department and Niall Ó Donnchú, with whom I was in constant contact throughout the weekend, for his commitment and the commitment of everybody in trying to deal with this situation. It is heartbreaking to see our beautiful national park in Killarney impacted so negatively and severely as a result of this fire.

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