James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also raise the issue of Castletown House in Celbridge. The Tánaiste and I have discussed it directly on a number of recent occasions and, indeed, it was ventilated on the floor of this Chamber a few moments ago. This is an issue of huge significance not just to the 80,000 people living in close proximity and the communities of Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth, Straffan and into Lucan and beyond; it is also a nationally strategic site. The Tánaiste is familiar with the background. Unfortunately, half of the estate has gone into private ownership, and not only has 200 acres been lost to the State and the public but access to the house and remaining lands has been compromised as a result, with what is called the N4 access taken away.

We have met the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and we are meeting that agency again tonight. My sense is we may need to take a broader, more holistic, collective approach from the Government, potentially across multiple agencies, and use the resources and expertise the State has. It is at a stalemate between the OPW and the landowner. We may need to think creatively about this. I ask that the resources and expertise of the State be brought to bear in trying to crack this nut and to restore this valuable asset to the people of north Kildare but also to the population at large.

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