Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Once again, I bring to the attention of the House the situation at Castletown House in Celbridge, County Kildare, a mansion of national and international importance as well as of community importance and that, from an architectural, historical, worldwide and national importance standpoint, is necessary. However, it is beset by a situation caused by a disagreement between the OPW and the adjoining landlord whereby it has not been possible to continue with the facility that existed for the past 15 years where access was gained to the mansion, the car park and the 235-acre environs from the M4. This access facilitated countrywide travellers, of whom thousands have visited the area while thousands are lined up to do so.

Unfortunately, at the moment, everything seems to be in abeyance. Efforts are being made to facilitate visitors to the house, enthusiasts, local community associations and people involved in recreation who have used the facility over the years. Progress has not been forthcoming to the extent required because, to my mind, it cannot be on the basis of the proposed settlement. It is a piecemeal settlement that is not supported by the people of Celbridge because it means opening up to vehicular traffic what is known as Lime Avenue, which is the main entrance to Castletown House and was the entrance when the house was built. It was the appropriate main entrance and access at that time. Unfortunately, matters have changed and we now have a heavily trafficked main street in Celbridge that hosts the main gate into Castletown House. It is, unfortunately, proposed by the OPW that we have an alternative entrance, which is the one off Main Street in Celbridge. That will not, cannot and does not work because it is one of the most heavily trafficked main streets in the country and is growing. Efforts to alleviate the traffic situation are continuing but that is not the total solution.

To my mind, a solution, and I have suggested this to all involved, involves reverting to the situation that prevailed before the Mexican stand-off in early September and to arrange for a temporary procedure whereby access is guaranteed as it was before until such time as an arrangement can be worked out and within a reasonable timeframe - not postponed forever - to ensure access for those who previously had access to Castletown House and supported and still support Castletown House. Local concerns have placed pickets at the gate due to their fears that the situation that prevailed heretofore was no longer feasible by virtue of the OPW saying it had an alternative entrance. We do not have an alternative entrance. The OPW does not have an alternative entrance because the entrance to which it refers is not practical in view of modern traffic volumes in that area.

I ask for a realistic appraisal of the situation whereby, following on from the temporary arrangement, there are serious discussions about what happens next with particular reference to safeguarding access to the property, Castletown House, which is 235 or 237 acres in curtilage. That is the first priority and that is agreed by all the local people concerned.

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