Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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387. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to publish the Curragh of Kildare Bill; the number of the suggested alternatives as proposed as an alternative to the Bill that have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1622/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The management and protection of the Curragh plains is an on-going process. The Curragh provides a working environment for three main users, the Defence Forces, the horse-racing and training industry and sheep owners. In addition in recent years there has also been a marked increase in the level of use as a leisure facility mainly because of the population growth in the area. Officials from my Department have regular contact with the various parties involved in the use and management of the Curragh to discuss a wide range of issues including the development and protection of the Curragh plains and how best to deal with the day to day issues of illegal parking, dumping etc.

Also as part of the on-going management of the Curragh my Department officials liaise with various Departments and State Agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Chief State Solicitors Office to ensure that best practice is adhered to in relation to the development and up keep of the Curragh Plains.

In relation to the Curragh of Kildare Bill, as you are aware a number of technical issues arose which caused difficulty in progressing the Bill. Also the establishment of the Authority as a separate agency under the aegis of the Department of Defence (as proposed in the Bill) would involve additional costs in terms of staff, accommodation, expenses and payments to members of the Authority, which would be significantly greater than the costs incurred by my Department in administering the Curragh Lands. This Government has targeted the rationalisation of State agencies as a key cost saving measure and in that context it would be inappropriate to establish a separate agency to manage work currently being done by my Department. Given the requirements of administrative efficiency, and the technical difficulties with the Bill I do not consider it prudent to reactivate the Bill.