Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the discussion initiated by my two colleagues and I welcome the Minister of State. I share the view that the Curragh is an extraordinarily important national resource and centre. The horse racing industry is very important with horse breeding being a hugely important sector that is closely associated with the Curragh. We have a huge international reputation in this area and it is a huge part of our heritage and culture.

The Army presence there is of extraordinary significance. Since the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022, with the implementation strategies now in place, there is a whole new focus on the Army and our defences. Maybe geopolitical events have helped to bring this on and maybe some unfortunate controversies around the Army have sharpened our focus and refocused us. There is a huge, fundamental recognition of the importance of our Army and of its future and of its development of a good culture within it. I have the privilege of being on the foreign affairs and defence committee. We had a report last week on progress to date of the Commission on the Defence Forces. It is all going very well. Many of the proposed reforms have been implemented and hopefully we are moving forward with that.

I have been on field trips to the Curragh and to see the Army's association with the place illustrated in the museum; that is very important and should be recognised. Obviously, the Curragh needs to be maintained and better maintained, there is no question about that. A high standard of maintenance is required.It needs to be seen as a pearl - a jewel - in our national tourism product, in horse racing, in the Army, in defence and in horse breeding. It is a special place that needs good maintenance and defending.

My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Heydon, was in touch with me to say he would like to have it confirmed to the House that a conservation management plan will be unveiled for the Curragh within a short number of days. He is optimistic that will deliver a result.

Returning to the substantive matter, we need substantial plans and recommendations and we need to implement them. That is what is truly necessary.

I have no trouble supporting the Bill. I congratulate both Senators on bringing it forward and I wish it well. I do no think I know of anybody who is reasonably or even moderately sane who does not recognise the importance of the Curragh in our national heritage, for our national tourism product, as the centre for the Army, etc. This is a good discussion and I am happy to be a party to it. I am completely in favour of a new maintenance plan, a new support and a new strategy. Well done to all concerned.