Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter and the Minister of State for making himself available.. The Tánaiste, as Minister for Defence, contacted me to apologise that he could not take this matter as he is meeting with PDFORRA, which is a very important organisation to the whole Defence Forces family, so I totally accept why he cannot be here. As a very proud Lillywhite, I know only too well the closeness and pride the people of County Kildare feel for the Curragh of Kildare, which is not just a jewel in the crown of Kildare but a national treasure. It is a place of great importance from an ecological, archaeological and cultural perspective. It is a great place for local people to walk and to enjoy because it is bordered by many towns and villages, including Kildare, Newbridge, Miltown, Athgarvan, and Kilcullen. Local people have great respect for it but unfortunately not everyone has the same respect, and there are ongoing issues on an annual basis with illegal encampments and the dumping of waste around the Curragh. It is for this, and many other reasons that is should have the highest level of protection.

The Curragh is the largest area of semi-natural grassland in the country and has largely remained uncultivated for more than 1,500 years. Over the centuries, its own unique flora has evolved, especially in its fungi. Furthermore, having been used in ancient times as a place of assembly and ritual it is rich in archaeological remains. According to the Kildare Archaeological Society, for at least 1,500 years the Curragh was an open unenclosed commonage used for the grazing of sheep, which of course still goes on, the training of horses. which still goes on, and as an assembly and training ground by armies. The very first sub-division of the Curragh was in the 1840s. The Dublin to Cork railway was built right across the Curragh. In the 1860s, the Curragh camp was built and there was a large appropriation for rifle ranges. There is still a very vibrant and active barracks to this day.

It is also a mythical place. The Curragh was used as a meeting place in pre-Christian societies and is shrouded in a mist of mythology. The Hill of Allen is to the north of the Curragh and that was a meeting place of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Fianna and, as I have referenced many times in the Chamber, legend has it that in approximately 480 AD St. Brigid intended to found a monastery in Kildare town. She asked the High King of Leinster for land on which to build and he said he would grant her as much land as her cloak could cover. She put her cloak on the ground and of course the cloak grew to cover the entire Curragh Plains, 5,000 acres of which are now under the care and protection of the Department of Defence.

However, I believe we need to do more to support and secure the long-term viability and heritage status of the Curragh. Kildare County Council and the Department of Defence appointed the Paul Hogarth Company, together with other consultants, to undertake a conservation plan and a branding, way finding, and interpretation plan for the Curragh Plains. They have liaised with public representatives and the public. More than 4,000 submissions were received. There is huge scope within all of this to secure the long-term viability of the Curragh. Yesterday, I met two local ladies, Ms Kate McCoy and Ms Mona O'Donnell, who were out for a walk. They stressed the need for proper car parking. I gather from conversations with the Minister for Defence, Deputy Micheál Martin, that we are coming to a point where strong recommendations will be made. I understand there is a possibility that the OPW, will be recommended as future custodian of the plains. I fully support this. While we do need to see a long-term vision for the Curragh, I reiterate my call for national heritage status for the Curragh.What is the Department's long-term plan for the Curragh and how will the Government support our call for national heritage status?