Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed with the response. I did not table this matter to attack the Minister's local government strategy but to raise a specific problem that has arisen as a result of it. That problem is acknowledged by all parties in Kells and, indeed, by many of the officials I have spoken to in Meath County Council. I urge the Minister to examine this. I am sure there are similar cases around the country and provision could be made to give them protection. The Minister stated what is going to happen, which is that the ownership will transfer from Kells Town Council to Meath County Council. The danger is that Kells municipal area, which is a great deal more than Kells town, will only have seven votes of the 40 on Meath County Council. Yes, the lands will still be there, but the rental income from them will go into a county fund and not into the Kells municipal area, as I understand it. The Minister must be able to think of a solution.

I urge him to accept that I raise this matter constructively to highlight a problem which many people would like to have solved. I hope he will think about it to see if anything can be done in the meantime. If the land can be transferred to the county council in advance of the legislation, with some conditions, that might be done. However, I understand there is a stamp duty liability or there are other complications. Perhaps it is not the done thing or it could be seen as improper to do it before the legislation is passed. Perhaps the Minister would to ask an official to look at this and liaise with senior officials in Kells. Mr. Stewart in Kells is from that area and he is very supportive of maintaining this. The council has no plans to sell it. I am not trying to raise any fears, but it has been protected for hundreds of years and we have a duty to continue to protect it, if we can.