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

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue, as Deputy Durkan did earlier. I know Deputy Lawless has been advocating on it for some time, because of the significance of the estate and the access the public enjoyed for a considerable length of time. As I said earlier, it is important that all involved, including those who own the land, have due regard for the importance of public access, for societal cohesion and for the well-being of the community. My experience is the State generally takes a fair approach to these issues, working with all interests, and that is my first appeal. I am always conscious in situations like this that I do not want the State held to ransom either or to be leveraged unfairly. That said, I think the State will look at every option to try to put the public interest first, along with the recreation and well-being of the wider community who use the facility.

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