Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

He was a good Limerick man, who talked about going from Kerry on a train to matches just to see what the journey was like and talking about passing the Curragh and what that meant. I know from being in different parts of the world, be it Europe or further beyond, when you are trying to explain where you are from in Ireland and you say I am from the Curragh, people know it straight away. They know because of the racing connections and because of the Army connections. They also know it because of Brigid and the folklore I mentioned about Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Brigid and even because of "Braveheart", which was filmed there as well.

The Curragh has quite iconic status but archeologically, as well as in terms of the flora and fauna we have there, we need to preserve it. This generation needs to build on what we have as an asset and we need to make sure the generations coming behind us have this wonderful place to visit and to experience. We need to make sure they have this place that is home to the best of racing. Kildare is recognised internationally as the thoroughbred county. It is home to numerous trainers and to the Curragh racecourse, as well as to the Defence Forces and the museum, as my colleague, Senator Chambers, has noted.

On what the Minister of State has said about the measures identified by the report, the implementation of the conservation management plan, the review of the Curragh by-laws and the Curragh of Kildare Act, I think we are all agreed that new legislation is needed. The potential for either establishing a new agency for the Curragh or assigning an existing specialist State agency to manage the plains is very welcome. The Department of Defence does a really good job but it should not have to look after the Curragh plains. They obviously need to look after the Curragh Camp and other barracks of which they are in charge. It is another job altogether to look after 5,000 acres of land that is unfenced and to which there is unhindered access.

The Minister of State was right in respect of the development of the Curragh as a tourist destination, including possibly the development of a Curragh visitor management and archive centre. That is something Tiago Somers spoke about in his letter to me in terms of enhancing tourism for Kildare. All of this is really good news. It shows there is great potential for the future of the Curragh plains but the first and premier focus must be to ensure that we protect the Curragh plains from these illegal encampments that have led to waste of every description, type and kind all over the Curragh. We have seen all of that circulating; it is beyond time action is taken.

This is why I have been a thorn in the side of the Department of Defence and of the local superintendent, who I spoke to only last night in this regard. I do not mind being a thorn in the side because I stand up for those who are hugely concerned and impacted negatively and for all of those who treasure this special place. I really look forward to the recommendations that come down the line and I thank the Minister of State and I ask him to pass on the message to the Minister for Defence that we appreciate his support. My party, Fianna Fáil, absolutely supports this and we will ensure we have this in our party manifesto and I am absolutely happy to accept any amendments should we get to the next Stage.