Written answers
Wednesday, 21 February 2024
Department of Defence
Defence Forces
Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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37. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide, in tabular form, the dates and duration of all road closures in the vicinity and surrounds of the Curragh Camp and firing range for January to December 2023, and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8395/24]
Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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38. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount of compensation paid out to local residents of the Curragh due to road closures for military purposes in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8396/24]
Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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39. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will clarify why planning permission was not applied for regarding the erection of two sentry posts on land designated as green lands at the Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8399/24]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 to 39, inclusive, together.
The closure of roads on Defence owned lands during the course of operational and training activities is carried out pursuant to Section 274 of the Defence Act, 1954. The Act provides that the Officer in Command may temporarily stop all traffic by land or water where in their opinion same may be necessary for the security of life and the proper conduct of the manoeuvres and other operational activities and as such the issue of compensation does not arise. The Deputy will appreciate that as such activities relate to operational matters it would not be appropriate to comment further. In relation to the planning code, the Deputy may wish to note that developments related to military operations are generally exempted from consent requirements. For the avoidance of any doubt, I am advised that no person is denied access to their home by the closure of local roads in such instances.
Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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40. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will clarify whether he will reconstitute the Curragh forum, to include local residents, to discuss their concerns in relation to the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8400/24]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Minister with responsibility for Defence, I am the custodian and guardian of the Curragh lands pursuant to the provisions of the Curragh of Kildare Act, 1961. I believe it is important to bear this in mind, as under that Act, the Curragh Plains is recognised as a working environment for the State's Defence Forces as well as being a place of historical and cultural importance. I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no immediate plans to reconstitute the Curragh forum.
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