Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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429. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the airstrip at a location (details supplied) will be retained to enhance tourism, being the only official airstrip in the Boyne Valley region, and which has full planning permission as an official airstrip recognised by the Irish Aviation Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29643/24]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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My Department acquired lands at the site mentioned in December 2023 with vacant possession.

I have been advised that the previous owners of the lands had a bare licence arrangement with an individual for use of some of the lands as an airstrip. This arrangement was terminated and communicated to the individual in June 2023, by the previous owners, when the lands were going on the market for sale.

Following a review of the property, my Department does not see an airstrip as part of the plan for developing the site for conservation and as an overall sustainable visitor and tourism facility. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has informed previous users that the airstrip is now closed and has made contact with the Irish Aviation Authority to request that the airstrip is no longer registered. The Irish Aviation Authority has confirmed that the location is an 'unlicensed aerodrome' and no further action is needed in relation to the decision to discontinue the use of that part of the property as an airstrip.