Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. He spoke about accessibility for people who live in the area. This is very important, and it is something we certainly do not want to take away from them. The illegal encampments to which I referred earlier are causing great problems and financial expense for the Department and Kildare County Council. I thank both entities for their help. I also thank the local gardaí. I appreciate that the Chief State Solicitor is looking at the legislation.

I was very heartened when this was included in the programme for Government and the now Taoiseach Deputy Martin was very clear that he wanted to have it in the programme for Government. We worked closely together on it. I am concerned that I am not getting a timeline. I would appreciate it if, when the Minister of State reports back to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, he asks for a timeline on this. As already stated, it is now March. Easter falls next month. We absolutely cannot have a repeat of what we had in recent years. We need to have a short-term plan in place in terms of the management of the plains. We need to ensure there is a very clear timeline for putting in place the rest of the steps.