James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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58. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures his Department has put in place to safeguard the unique heritage of the Curragh plains or is in the process of putting in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32505/17]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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62. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the work of the Curragh Forum; when it is expected to meet again in view of recent changes in personnel in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32511/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 62 together.

At the most recent meeting of the Curragh Forum, several actions were agreed by the members to assist in addressing a number of the problems in the Curragh. In line with agreed actions, a review of the Curragh Bye-Laws and the Curragh of Kildare Act is progressing with a view to identifying any amendments that can be made to assist in dealing with the issues of encampments, dumping, parking and the other key issues identified by the Forum. In addition, my officials have recently introduced revised procedures regarding the branding and documenting of sheep grazing on the Curragh plains to facilitate enhanced visibility and control on their numbers. Actions to address overgrazing will also be progressed in 2017.

Plans are being prepared to progress a number of other agreed actions including signage and the development of facilities on the environs of the Curragh. It is intended to convene a further meeting of the Curragh Forum in the near future to discuss these and other relevant matters.