Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 668: To ask the Minister for Defence the situation with regard to the open space areas surrounding a road (details supplied) in County Kildare; if negotiations in relation to the taking in charge of these areas have taken place with Kildare County Council; the outcome of such negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34084/06]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 669: To ask the Minister for Defence the situation with regard to the open space areas surrounding an estate (details supplied) in County Kildare; if negotiations in relation to the taking in charge of these areas have taken place with Kildare County Council; and the outcome of such negotiations. [34085/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 668 and 669 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Government decided on 1 July 2003 that lands at Magee Barracks, Kildare, would be among State lands released for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative. The question of taking in charge by Kildare County Council of the areas referred to by the Deputy will fall to be considered in the context of the transfer of such lands under the Initiative.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 670: To ask the Minister for Defence if officials of his Department have had recent engagement with Kildare County Council in regard to the council's proposal to provide sheep-grids on all access roads to the Curragh Plains; his Department's view on these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34086/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Kildare County Council approached my Department in 2001 concerning a proposal being considered by the Council at that time to install sheep grids and horse gates on all public access roads to the Curragh. In developing this proposal the Council identified 23 locations where grids or gates would be required and sought a contribution from my Department towards the costs of any such works. The estimated cost was in excess of €1 million.

The Department informed Kildare County Council that it was not agreeable to providing such funding. Responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of public access roads to the Curragh rests with Kildare County Council. In addition, it is the position of the Department that the question of the keeping of sheep on the Curragh is a matter for the sheep rights owners. There has been no recent engagement with Kildare County Council with regard to this proposal.