Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Deputy Simon Coveney, I thank the Senator for raising the matter of the Curragh consultancy study. The Minister has asked me to convey his regrets to the House that he could not be here and has specifically asked me to reassure the Senator that in both his current role and as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who oversaw the development of newly constructed racing stadium, he has a keen appreciation of and affinity with the Curragh.

Needless to say, as a local Deputy for the area, I am passionate about the Curragh Plains, as I know the Senator is. We are acutely aware of the huge potential that exists but also the challenges in terms of its ongoing management on a day-to-day basis.

The affinity we have is not just based on the military, sheep or horse racing sectors. The Government is keen to see those activities continue, but it is important that the 5,000 acres of unique grassland, as a place of significant natural beauty, should be protected for generations to come. To that end, the Department of Defence together with Kildare County Council have embarked on a unique collaboration aimed at finding a way forward in addressing the many challenges involved in managing and developing the Curragh Plains.

The key objectives of this collaborative work are to implement best practice to protect the landscape, care for its natural qualities and uniqueness while balancing the needs of its different users and potentially improve the recreational and educational value of the Curragh as a resource to local people, while also increasing visitor numbers on a sustainable basis.Obviously that would of huge benefit to the local south Kildare economy.

A public consultation process commenced in March 2021 which, given Covid restrictions, was conducted through the Curragh Plains website. The response, as the Senator has touched on, was phenomenal. Over 3,600 responses were received thus demonstrating the strength of feeling about the Curragh Plains. This was followed by a series of targeted virtual workshops with various stakeholders, which involved several Members of both Houses as well as local councillors. The Minister has asked me to thank all of them for their participation.

In terms of the next steps, a conservation management plan for the Curragh Plains is due to be submitted to the Department of Defence and Kildare County Council in the coming weeks. That will be followed by an interpretation and branding plan that is centred around the potential development of the plains as a cultural and amenity attraction. I, like many others, look forward to exploring these reports in depth and the potential they have for the improved management of the Curragh Plains from a conservation perspective, and into the future.

While the study is scheduled for completion by June 2022, the Minister is prepared to see the deadline extended if needed as it is essential that we get this once-in-a-generation opportunity right, as the Senator will no doubt agree.

I conclude by thanking the Senator for raising this matter and look forward to answering any additional comments that she may make. The main takeaway point is that the Government is determined to protect the Curragh and enhance and develop all of its great attributes for the benefit of everybody whether that is local people, tourists and visitors, or stakeholders who depend on the Curragh Plains as part of their livelihood. The Government is determined to do so in a sustainable way that protects the unique history of the Curragh Plains, which the Senator referenced.

The process has taken time but it is really important and a great opportunity for us. I am delighted to discuss this matter with the Senator here today.