Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I understand. The kindly gentleman in question has a great appreciation and understanding of Killarney. Dúchas was within the ambit of his former Department, but it is now under the control of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, for reasons that I do not fully understand — it is probably misplaced. The man to whom I referred will give tremendous leadership. I do not know much about other Departments, but the Minister, Deputy McCreevy, can rest assured that everything is fine in respect of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. The Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, knows that he is "on to a good thing", regardless of how he did with the ponies.

I wish to speak about Dúchas, without showing disrespect to anyone. I have discussed the organisation with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, and the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon. I do not understand the decision to move responsibility for Dúchas to another organisation. I am aware that there are turf wars within the Civil Service — many people's attitude is "what we have, we hold" — but I genuinely believe that Dúchas has been misplaced. I say that in the presence of the Minister who is responsible for the Office of Public Works. Responsibility for environmental and built heritage has been divided and there is a crazy situation in Killarney as a result. Killarney's built heritage includes Ross Castle, Muckross House and the cottages in Killarney National Park. However, responsibility for Muckross House, which is an integral part of Killarney's built heritage, rests with Dúchas and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. With respect to the Minister, it does not make any sense. The solution to this problem is probably to reunite the former elements of Dúchas under the aegis of the OPW, within the Department of Finance.