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

I appreciate the Minister of State's, dedication to the cause and appreciate it is in our mutual interest that the matter be resolved satisfactorily. Towns in his constituency, such as Kilcloon and Dunboyne, as well as Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth and the surrounding areas, where there are large populations, have a huge requirement for outdoor events and a huge dedication to the concept of Castletown House being used for present and future generations in the pursuit of an amenity, for historical and tourism reasons and for future expansion. Upwards of 1 million people are expected to use the access routes in future and nothing can be done until such time as the matter of access has been resolved.

In the past, analogies were drawn with Lissadell House in Sligo on the basis the State was at a considerable loss. Of course, in this instance, the State is in the same position that the owner of Lissadell was in then and is now, and he won his case in court. Every time this issue is raised in the House, the same thing is involved. This is about access to the existing house and the existing estate, which is in the ownership of the OPW. Strictly speaking, therefore, the question to be asked is how we can depend on ensuring we will have access to our own property.

By "we", I mean the people of the country and the local interest groups, which have a very strong and supportive interest.

I thank the Minister of State for his efforts in this regard. I also thank the Ceann Comhairle for repeatedly allowing the matter to be aired in the House. As I said before, I hope we are both in the House to pursue this issue in the future, if given that opportunity. I again thank the Minister of State for his efforts. We need to dedicate ourselves to access. If access is denied or prevented, we will not be able to go anywhere.

See this speech in context