Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is simply an enabling Bill to allow us plan for a future for Johnstown Castle and the surrounding gardens as part of a broader estate which will stay in State ownership. Some people wanted a provision included in this legislation to allow us to sell more of the overall estate but that is not happening, and will not happen. There was a provision in an amending Bill some years ago to allow for up to 5% of the estate to be sold for specific purposes. That provision remains and is not being changed. There is no threat of the sale of the house and gardens, which make up approximately 15% of the estate. It may be leased to an operator who can run it efficiently. It will certainly be part of State property.

There have been several surveys and viability studies done of the castle and its potential. In 2007 a conservation plan was drawn up. In 2009, the Buchanan report mapped out a three-phase development of the overall castle, which had a huge price tag. The most recent survey, by Colliers, in 2013, for Teagasc, aimed to ensure that there is potential to get a return if we invest in the infrastructure. This is not a pipe dream. It is an estate, with castle and gardens that have significant potential to attract tourists and visitors who will contribute financially to see and use that facility.

We have two responsibilities. I agree with those who have said that if the State receives a gift of this value we have a responsibility to look after it, to respect the wishes of the donors, and consult and inform their descendants about any changes. My understanding is that has happened. The exact wording the Senator asked for is: "...Teagasc has informed the descendents of the original donors about the Bill and they have not raised any objections in relation to the planned change of use or burial ground proposal". I specifically asked Teagasc to do that.

The Bill maps out a future for this estate. The focus on agricultural research will be retained. Teagasc and the Department will have a presence there and the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has a premises adjacent to it. The public use will continue intact. We want to create a source of income and a justification for spending or investing money in the upkeep of the castle and the surrounding gardens and ensure that as many people as possible enjoy that facility into the future and that it adds to the overall stimulus of the economy in the south east. There is a commitment of €2.5 million in the Department’s Estimate, through Teagasc, this year, if a plan is in place that makes sense, is properly costed and so on. It may not be spent this year but we have provided for it.

This is not just a Teagasc proposal. The Office of Public Works, OPW, the manager of Wexford County Council, Fáilte Ireland and someone from the Department have been planning this for some time. This is not a simple project in isolation. It will be part of a series of tourism attractions in Wexford and the south east, linked in with some of the other successful projects that Wexford County Council has been involved in.

In response to Senator Cullinane, the south east needs State investment and will, I hope, get it, subject to budgetary constraints, to fulfil the leisure and tourism potential of this estate. I hope I have answered Senators’ questions and that they will facilitate the passage of the remaining Stages of this Bill today, quickly, as a result of the positive contributions.

I am not as knowledgeable as Senator Crown about skin cancer, apart from knowing it exists and that the south east is the sunniest part of the country. I can assure him that any facility we develop will not be solely an outdoor facility. There will be an indoor facility in the castle.