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

Before I get to this very important matter, I join others in expressing my sympathy on the passing of the lady of the House in her time, Deputy Mary O'Rourke, to her family. Deputy Andrews is opposite. When we were first elected in 2007, Mary O'Rourke was a senior Member of the House. She was very vibrant. She was that combination of intellect and robustness. More than anything else, however, it is a sad passing for her two sons and her family. I acknowledge her contribution to Irish society.

I thank Deputy Durkan for his long-standing interest in Castletown estate. I know how keenly interested he is in finding a resolution, as I am. As he will be aware, when I came into office, I took over the chairing of the working group myself in my capacity as Minister of State. We have had four meetings. I had a meeting quite recently and I have a further meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, 8 October. I am endeavouring at the moment, once again at the request of the working group, to consider another access point. The chair of the OPW and I met with the residents to see if we could get temporary access, and I hope to have further engagement with the residents. I acknowledge the their meeting with us and looking at the matter. I still want to look at the broader matters which the Deputy broaches. I want to find a solution in terms of visitor parking and I continue to consider all options, including the M4 access. If we get the access I am talking about, that brings the staff back in. I note his major concern about the state of the grounds and the house. It is something we are all concerned about.

As he will be well aware, it is a policy of the OPW to reunite the historic Castletown demesne lands with the house and lands in the care of the State. The OPW has sought on several occasions to purchase the lands in question, including when the lands were offered for sale on the open market in 2022. Despite best efforts, the State was outbid on the open market and, ultimately, the lands were acquired by a private purchaser. It is the strategic objective of the OPW to reunite the lands. We remain open to negotiations with the landowners. The working group asked me to meet with them, I did so, and I expect to work towards further engagement with them very shortly.

I will take the points the Deputy raised. As regards the issue of the community, I have sought AG advice on the issue of access in all its aspects and I hope to have that advice very shortly. He mentioned the neglect. I want to get the staff back in but I want to get the wider resolution as well in terms of access for parking, and I am looking at all aspects. I believe that all stakeholders want to see Castletown estate welcome visitors and the local community back into Castletown and I want to find a resolution. I am absolutely committed to working. I have been in the role a relatively short time but I have held four meetings and I thank the stakeholders and the residents for their patience. I am determined to find a resolution, both short-term in terms of access for the staff but also more long-term in terms of parking for visitors and the public using the facility because it is a phenomenal public facility.

I reiterate that I am fully committed to working with the Deputy, everyone else in the working group and all stakeholders to find a resolution here.

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