Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I am quite sceptical about the Carrickmines debate. The castle itself has not been found and identified. There is suspicion about where it is, but it will not be touched. What we are talking about is certain types of outworks. We have hundreds if not thousands of castles in this country in various states of repair. If we have millions of euro to spend on castles, let us spend it on something a little more visible. I am aware that Carrickmines Castle has a very important role in Irish history and that would not prejudice me either for or against it. That is true of many other castles. However, no matter how hard we try, it is underground and we cannot bring it back to life.

Part of the reason for the court judgment is the conflation of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government taking on Dúchas and conflicts of interest within the Department. I have an open mind on where departmental responsibility for national monuments should lie. I am astonished the Opposition is opposing this Bill in principle. That means the M50 cannot be completed because there is no mechanism for doing so. Did the Fine Gael councillors tell people in the recent local elections that they would oppose this legislation?