Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley. I thank the Senator for this opportunity to update the House on this important issue. Within Killarney National Park, up to 45 jarveys, operating 66 jaunting cars, ply their trade under licence from the national parks and wildlife service across a network of approximately 15 km of internal roads within the park. An unfortunate consequence of so many horses frequenting the park is that the roadways are consistently fouled with horse dung. The presence of this untreated dung in the park has long been a concern from the point of view of aesthetic, environmental, tourism and health and safety grounds. Consequently, while the jarveys can add to the visitor experience, the soiling of roads in the park simply is no longer acceptable.

The national parks and wildlife service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government first set out to address the problem of soiled footpaths in the park to make it clean and safe for visitors approximately four years ago in the context of the management plan for Killarney park from 2005 to 2009. That plan included a commitment to research and demonstrate the best methods for the disposal of horse dung and to implement a methodology in consultation with the jarveys. Since October 2007, the NPWS has embarked on a serious and extended effort to engage with the jarveys. This involved multiple meetings during which the NPWS presented the options, supported both by a UK-based equine expert on the issue and one of Ireland's leading equine veterinary consultants.

I assure the House that the clear preference, on the basis of extensive research, expert advice and investigation, is that the dung catcher device offers the best solution to this problem. This option was further supported in various field trials conducted towards the end of 2008. At the end, therefore, of a long period of consultation with the jarveys and following the successful field trials, the dung catcher option was committed to.

In early 2009, the jarveys were invited to a briefing at which it was explained that the dung catcher was being introduced on 8 June 2009. As such, jarveys were given three months to familiarise their horses with the new devices. A further two demonstrations were held in April and early June. Regrettably, the jarveys have consistently signalled their opposition to the new devices. However, they have never trialled the device on their own jaunting cars to illustrate where they perceive the problem to lie. This makes it difficult to pinpoint what are their actual reservations and consequently makes it impossible for the NPWS to address them.

The NPWS has been patient in enforcing the implementation of the new requirements. The jarveys have been reminded in writing since 8 June that they are operating illegally in Killarney National Park as they do not hold a valid licence; a condition of the new licence being that the jaunting cars are fitted with a dung catcher. In the meantime, the State continues to pay for the cleaning of paths and roads in the park. The situation of unlicensed jarveys could not be allowed to continue indefinitely and so, reluctantly, the NPWS took appropriate enforcement action yesterday by preventing access to the jarveys to the park.

I trust the House will appreciate the efforts to date by the NPWS to move forward on an agreed basis. I acknowledge the support and understanding the Department has received from the trustees of Muckross House and the business, tourism and wider community in Killarney. The action today by the jarveys in blocking the entrance ways to the park to all visitors is not acceptable. The NPWS will be happy to welcome back the jarveys to the park on the basis of the new arrangements for dung catchers which, as Members are aware, are in widespread use throughout European cities.