Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, is very welcome. I compliment my Labour Party colleagues on this worthwhile motion with which I agree. I compliment the Minister on everything she said, with which I also agree. More and more citizens now recognise the value of our heritage, including natural heritage, national parks, nature reserves, special areas of conservation, special protection areas for birds, Natura 2000 sites and built heritage - national monuments, historic properties, repositories of national collections in the National Gallery, the National Museum, the National Library and the Crawford Gallery not just for their intrinsic importance in and of themselves and to the story of Ireland and its people but also their importance in attracting international visitors to our shores, thereby generating economic activity. Threats to this heritage, including access, resonate strongly among citizens. I refer, for example to the threat of closure of some of the collections in our national institutions due to lack of adequate resources.

There is also a threat to our wildlife heritage as a result of gorse fires or the introduction of invasive species in the countryside. Recently, all of Mangerton mountain was burnt and certain other mountainous areas as well. I understand we are out of line with Northern Ireland and other places in that regard. While burning must be controlled, it is necessary for regeneration and growth. Many people have made representations to me on the matter and I am anxious to pass them on to the Minister. Perhaps we could move the date for burning back to 15 April and get in line with the North and with Britain. I urge the Minister to take the suggestion on board and to give it consideration in due course.

We have heritage gems such as our national parks, of which Killarney National Park is foremost, where both natural and built heritage are conserved and protected by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Killarney National Park consists of 26,000 acres and historic buildings such as Muckross House, Muckross Abbey, Killarney House and Ross Castle and attracts more than 1.5 million visitors annually. The park and buildings need to be adequately resourced in order that they can continue to provide inspiration and enjoyment for our own citizens and increasing numbers of international visitors.

I am being parochial, but I very much look forward to the Minister’s next visit to both Muckross and to the opening of Killarney House. I note that €7.25 million of State funding has been expended on Killarney House, from both the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and through the tourism remit of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, through Fáilte Ireland. It is a significant investment that must be protected and enhanced, as I am sure the Minister will be concerned to do, as it will come under the management of her Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. There are some very good personnel employed, but more will be needed. A proper budget must be put in place, in addition to proper planning and staffing. I look forward to the Minister opening Killarney House. I am not sure when she will be able to do that. I believe the interpretative centre for the park is being installed there. Could the Minister enlighten us as to the state of play in that regard? If it is not due to happen then I hope it will happen shortly. The much valued furniture belonged to the Earls of Kenmare and Castlerosse and to the McShain family. I very much look forward to their memorabilia being in the rooms in that house which will tell the story of both the McShain family, the man who built Washington, and of the Earls of Kenmare who lived there. I also look forward to hearing from the Minister when she thinks the opening will take place. This will be such an iconic attraction in Killarney. I look forward to seeing the golden gates open again. The house is in the town. It brings the park into the town and the town into the park. It will be a tremendous attraction when it opens. Every organisation in Killarney and every citizen is looking forward to it tremendously. The sooner the opening takes place the better. I accept there may be some logistical problems. In her response I look forward to the Minister outlining the exact position and bringing us up to date.