Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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205. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Coillte's plans for the ongoing use of the walled garden at Kilmacurragh in County Wicklow; if those plans include the return of this historic garden and its mature trees to their rightful use as an important contextual element of the adjoining Kilmacurragh Arboretum; if such a transfer will be expedited in the interest of tourism in County Wicklow and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41318/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest properties, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte informs me that the Kilmacurragh site in County Wicklow, including the walled garden area, is currently an important part of the company’s nurseries operation where seeds and saplings are grown for use across their forest estate and are carrying out important research into the next generation of plants it will use in their forests. Coillte advise that there are currently no plans to change its operations on the site or its use of it as part of their nurseries operations. With reference to tourism in Co. Wicklow, Coillte advise that it provides a range of recreation facilities in County Wicklow including Mountain Bike trails in Ballinastoe, Avondale House and Forest Park outside Rathdrum and a range of other locations in the County, and works in partnership with stakeholders to explore the potential for its estate to support tourism, recreation and nature conservation projects and will continue to do this.