Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this. I have been in this role for a relatively short period. I will not go over the script I have been provided. I will give my thoughts, which are that I have been in this role for a short period and have come to this as an honest broker. I have had three meetings of the working group. I want people to work collaboratively. I have come in with no preconceived views on it.

I am on record with the group as saying that Lime Avenue is for pedestrian access and it will continue to be that. We need to get the staff back in to protect Castletown House and grounds. I think we all agree on that. I take my instructions from the group, which were to engage with the people who had purchased the land. The land had come up for sale and the OPW was outbid for the land. I would have liked to have seen the OPW purchase the land. It did not happen. I was asked by the group to approach the landowners, which I have done. A body of work is being done in that regard. I am taking my views from the group collectively. That is something I was provided with.

The Deputy is correct that the access point from the M4 is the obvious access point. The fact is that it is privately owned. It was previously privately owned but the OPW had a licence agreement for its operation. It is the obvious way in which one would like to see that. We want to see Castletown House and the grounds be united. We have committed to looking at other possible temporary access points, including Lime Avenue, but once again I will go with the view of the group to get temporary access to get staff back in, so that we can bring the grounds and Castletown House up to par. The Deputy is correct. I want to see the access point come through the M4. It is the obvious view. There is already a parking area.

I can only go with the advice I have been given. I am open to pursuing all avenues. That is my role as a public representative. I have deliberately gone to meet the group as Minister of State. I have met the working group three times. The OPW has sought legal advice about whether it has a right of way over the lands formerly managed under licence. As entry to and over the land was by permission, no such rights have accrued, and therefore the OPW cannot enforce a right of way by injunction or other means over these privately owned lands. That is what I am being advised.

I am aware, through my engagement with the working group, that a local community group has requested Kildare County Council to consider recognising a right of way over these lands but I am not aware of progress to date. I am being advised that the OPW does not have compulsory purchase order powers. I gave a commitment at the last meeting of the working group that I would meet Kildare County Council, which I want to happen and am looking to arrange that. I went through the effort.

I have tried to work collectively with the group. I fully understand the Lime Avenue issue. We need to get staff back in to deal with restoring the house. I would like the access point from the M4 to be there straight away but there is a timing factor. Whatever route we go will take time. I remain fully committed to working with Deputy Durkan and everyone on the working group to find a resolution here.

See this speech in context