Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

The most important news is that Killarney House will be restored. The McShane family donated the house to the State, the only charge being for the furniture. It is very valuable furniture which is now in storage in Limerick and it does not cost as much as people thought. The house was given free of charge to the State. Sister Pauline McShane used to be horrified every summer on her visits home when she saw an iconic house disintegrating and being vandalised. The State stood indicted to some degree by this neglect. The national parks and wildlife service administer the Killarney National Park. It is the largest national park in the country, at 22,000 acres and one of the finest parks in Europe. Because of the synergy between biodiversity and the arts, this is a very exciting project. The park contains a unique collection of various species of fish, bird and plant life. The connection between biodiversity and the arts will be emphasised in the new proposal. It links Killarney town with the park which is on the outskirts of the town.

I thank Senator Coghlan for his support over the years and for keeping it on the agenda of the House at all times. I refer to what is happening in Limerick as regards the music initiative. We should look at that to see how it can be transferred to other parts of the country.