Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

As a proud Lilywhite, I am delighted to be here tonight. I congratulate and thank Senators O’Loughlin and Chambers for bringing forward this important Bill. Senator O’Loughlin said the Curragh is iconic. It is iconic for every Kildare person, not just in this country but throughout the world. When we sing “The Curragh of Kildare” as we did in 1998, which was, unfortunately, the last time and hopefully we will do so again, it brings passion to every Kildare person in this country and abroad as well.

Unfortunately, the jewel that is the Curragh has come under attack in recent years. It is time the talking stopped and we saw action in respect of the Curragh. The illegal use of the Curragh must stop. Senator O’Loughlin spoke about this, as did the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, and I. Every public representative in County Kildare has spoken about the beauty of the Curragh and the need to protect it. We need to see action. In fairness to Senator O’Loughlin, her Bill is the first step towards seeing that action.

I have been involved with the conservation management plan from the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, that was mentioned, as has Senator O’Loughlin. An awful lot of people made submissions to it. It is important the conservation management plan is implemented as quickly as possible.

The Newbridge Labour Party has called for national park status for the Curragh of Kildare because protection is the number one issue related to it. Tonight we have Mary and Pauline here. Senator O’Loughlin brought many people in and I could have done so too. People have been in contact with me over the past number of weeks about what is happening there. It is despicable to look at the pictures of what is happening. No Kildare person or public representative can stand over the pictures that have appeared on social media. They have been sent to me by email and I have discussed them with people who have contacted me.

When we talk about the Curragh, we talk about racing and the importance of the racing industry to this country and County Kildare. No one can doubt that. It is imperative that racing stays in County Kildare and the Curragh continues to be used by racing to the extent it has been. We also talk about our Defence Forces. There are issues around the Defence Forces and investment in the Curragh and everything that goes with that. Senator O’Reilly spoke about investment through the Commission on the Defence Forces report. That needs to happen. There needs to be investment in the Curragh. There also needs to be protection, which is what we are talking about tonight. We are talking about the people who live around the Curragh and everybody from County Kildare who uses the Curragh. Only last Sunday, I brought my dog to the Curragh. It is unbelievable to walk in the Curragh and talk to people about what you can do there in its open spaces and the beauty of the area. You meet people who are walking their dogs or are just out for a walk. All they want to talk about is what has happened to the Curragh in the past couple of years. That is what gets them every time.

It is time we stood up. It is time the Government and Opposition parties stopped the illegal use of the Curragh. It is time we came together and made sure the people who have businesses around the Curragh and who live in the area are protected and their lives are not destroyed, as they have been for so long, in particular in recent years, as Senator O’Loughlin said.

I am proud to speak on this. I am passionate about being from Kildare. I know the other public representatives in the area, including Senator O’Loughlin, are passionate about the Curragh. I look forward to the Minister of State’s reply because many people in County Kildare will be listening to it. The Curragh is so important to the people who live there but it is also important to every Kildare person in this country and abroad.