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

Unfortunately, time is running out fast. I have here an email from a local resident who is a strong supporter of the need to ensure that access to Castletown House continues uninterrupted and unimpeded. She refers to a petition in 2024 of 5,000 signatures and support for the petition to keep Lime Avenue pedestrian and to ensure that it is not shared with any traffic because it is too dangerous. It will not facilitate a reorganisation of the avenue to allow the two, but access to the grounds and the adjoining grounds can be agreed if necessary and if possible with the adjoining landowner. It would appear to me, however, that the adjoining landowner has put a spoke in the wheel by putting a gate across the avenue, which signals his intention, to my mind, not to relent at all, and that a situation could emerge whereby the State could find itself unable to access its own lands. As the Minister of State has rightly pointed out, the adjoining landowner is entitled to access his own lands. So is the State, however, and it would now appear that the adjoining landowner is proposing to ensure that only at his gift will the public or the State access their own property.

I think there is now a case to be challenged in court if necessary - it should be done sooner rather than later - and that is whether the State has the right to access its own lands and property, to go to and from those lands and to service those lands, Castletown House and the Castletown collection at will, uninterrupted and unimpeded. It is an important issue. It has to be thrashed out sooner or later, and I strongly urge that it be done sooner in order that the State will have equal rights with an adjoining private landowner.

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