Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Cathaoirleach is a favourite with the kids. I would like to raise an issue that the Cathaoirleach is very much aware of. I was talking to Councillor Marie O'Sullivan in Kinsale this morning about the issue of Desmond Castle in Kinsale. It is a unique structure that is a really important and significant part of our tourism trade in Kinsale. It has been closed since 2018. It is a part of our tourism legacy. It is a castle that dates back to the 1500s. It was a former prison and, at one stage, it was a wine museum. We firmly believe it is a unique spot that could be used as an exhibition for the Battle of Kinsale, which is another part of the tourism trade we have in Kinsale.

Unfortunately, however, this castle has been closed to the public since 2018. It is in the full ownership of the State and is an Office of Public Works, OPW, property. The property had been run and managed by the OPW previously. I firmly believe we need a significant debate about these assets we have throughout the State. These are really significant assets that have such potential to be a part of our tourism industry. The Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, and the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, should come before the Seanad to give us their strategy for making sure that all our assets, whether those are in Meath, Dublin or Cork, can be used as part of our tourism trade.

In particular, work should be done to make sure that Desmond Castle in Kinsale, which has now been closed since 2018, can be reopened and can be a part of that. We have a significant heritage, we just need to make sure we utilise it. That is what I am calling for this morning.