Written answers

Tuesday, 2 October 2018

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

National Parks

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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107. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the petition and campaign calling for the State to buy an estate (details supplied) as a public recreational amenity; if her attention has been further drawn to the serious concerns regarding the potential to restrict rights of way for hill walkers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39704/18]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my answer in this House earlier today. I am aware that this site, comprising a historic house and estate of some 5,000 acres, has been offered for sale, with a reported asking price in the region of €28 million. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has no direct role in this sales process as it is a commercial matter between the owners of the property in question and the parties interested in the purchase.

Through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht manages a property portfolio in respect of national parks and reserves of approximately 87,000 hectares. These important biodiversity areas are located all around the country. Given the limited resources available for capital investment within the National Parks and Nature Reserves, I recognise the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of the existing Parks and Reserves' lands.

While the lands in question would represent a significant addition to the stock of publicly owned heritage properties and lands, my Department could only consider acquiring this property if the price fell to within a certain range,or in the context of a donation or bequest. This is known to the Vendors. In this context, I would also remind the House that in late 2016 my Department negotiated the extension of Wicklow Mountains National Park by purchasing almost 4,900 acres of Dublin Uplands at Glenasmole in 2016 at a cost of just €800,000.

Wicklow Mountains National Park and Glendalough are amongst our most beloved and popular heritage jewels. The Estate referred to in the details supplied has allowed a permissive access to a hugely popular walking route for many decades and I would hope that this would continue under any new ownership arrangements. While my Department has conveyed this desire directly to the vendors and their agent, I have no statutory function regarding the provision of access to private lands. Furthermore, the Estate has been an excellent neighbour to the National Park, working closely with it on habitat management and the promotion of our stunning Wicklow Mountains for tourism, film-making and amenity. It is my wish that this close co-operation would continue too in future.

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