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

I thank the Senator for her comments and appreciate her interest in this matter. I am aware of her recent announcement that she intends to introduce a Private Members' Bill on the permitted use of the plains. While I do not wish to assume the outcome of the study I think that we can both agree that there is a need to place the management of the plains on a modern footing with which I am sure everyone who lives in proximity to the Curragh Plains will agree.

The Senator mentioned the recent illegal encampment. We are aware that on a very a regular basis during spring and summer the Department of Defence and An Garda Síochána work closely together to deal with illegal encampments and trespassers on the plains, and particularly during the summer months. This was a feature of a significant number of comments that were received during the public consultation phase, which is no surprise to anyone who has been a public representative for the area. It is very clear and important that the challenge must be dealt with as part of a conservation management plan.

Sadly, fly-tipping is a feature of the misuse of the Curragh Plains. While the Department of Defence has a waste collector on-call to clean up, it is very difficult to prevent such anti-social behaviour but the issue cannot be ignored and we must proactively manage the plains into the future. I note all of the Senator's comments and will convey them to the Minister, including applying to UNESCO for protective status. My view of the ongoing management of the plains is that we must strike the right balance between conservation and proactive protection yet not shut off the plains from the people who depend on and use them. I think that we can get strike the right balance with this process.