Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for accepting this Commencement matter on the Curragh Plains. As the Minister of State will be aware, the Curragh is a jewel in the crown of Kildare. It is something we are truly proud of as Lilywhites. It is incumbent upon us as political leaders to ensure we do everything in our power to protect the Curragh's heritage and ecological value and ensure we use it to its fullest potential.

The Curragh is home to the Army, the racing industry and, of course, many sheep. Many hundreds of years ago, it was also home to Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna, and of course St. Brigid. It is a place of great importance from an ecological, archaeological and cultural perspective, with the film "Braveheart" having been filmed there. It is a great place for local people in which to walk and enjoy as it is bordered by Kildare, Newbridge, Milltown, Athgarvan, Kilcullen, and Rathangan. During the two years of Covid, it provided a great leisure facility for people. Local people have a great respect for it. For this and many other reasons, it should have the highest level of protection, while affording the opportunity for people, both locally and nationally, to enjoy its beautiful surroundings. We should seek UNESCO world heritage status for the Curragh because it is an important focal point in County Kildare. Some months ago, I also raised a Commencement matter on this matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan. UNESCO world heritage status is the Holy Grail we should aim for.

The Curragh has its own unique administrative arrangements enshrined in law, in the Curragh of Kildare Act 1961. For several years, there have been ongoing issues with illegal dumping and encampments on the Curragh. These completely take away from its beauty for those who wish to use it daily and can deter people from utilising a local amenity. Earlier this week, there was an illegal encampment of 25 caravans. I thank Inspector James Molloy for his help in ensuring the group in question was disbanded, but we must do more in this regard.

In July 2021, there were a number of online focus group workshops on the Curragh Plains. These were initiated by the director of services at Kildare County Council, Joe Boland, and the Department of Defence. The Paul Hogarth Company was also involved. It undertook a conservation management plan and a branding, wayfinding and interpretation plan for the Curragh Plains. Such was the interest that 4,000 people responded. There is significant scope in that work to secure the long-term viability of the Curragh. The aim of the project is to help protect and conserve the special status of this landscape, manage more effectively the diverse yet critical uses of the plains and realise the Curragh's potential as a destination of value to locals and visitors alike.

I have been calling and lobbying for many years to see the Curragh designated national heritage status, and I believe such a designation would further protect the Curragh in the longer term. It is a truly unique landscape and a wonderful amenity. It was used as a meeting site during pre-Christian societies. The Curragh is shrouded in a mist of mythology. It has a close connection with the Hill of Allen as well as St. Brigid.

The 5,000 acres of the Curragh are under the care and protection of the Department of Defence and it is considered to be the oldest and most extensive such tract in Europe. It provides the setting for one of Ireland’s most significant prehistoric landscapes. There is no doubt of its significance or potential. However, we need to do more to protect this vital heritage site. We have seen unacceptable levels of dumping and fly-tipping, as well as significant damage at key sites such as the Gibbet Rath. That is wholly unacceptable. I am pleased that the circular economy Bill will pave the way for use of CCTV to detect and deter illegal dumping and littering, and I am hopeful that this will be utilised to protect the Curragh. What will the Government do to help that process?