Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

256. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is aware that illegal encampments on the Curragh Plains have resumed; the measures that his Department is taking to bring this situation to a halt; the steps that have been taken to implement the Programme for Government commitment to provide for a new management system for the Curragh Plains; when he intends this management system / body to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12505/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the Curragh, as State land vested in the Minister for Defence, is recognised as a working environment for the state's Defence Forces as well as being a place of historical and cultural importance. At approximately 4,870 acres, the Plains represent one of the most open and accessible areas in the country. This has presented a number of challenges for management around illegal camping and illegal dumping particularly in recent years.

The Department has been engaged with the CSSO in anticipation of any potential trespassing to ensure that all legal steps are taken promptly to protect the Plains. In the case of trespass or criminal damage, it is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána to police the situation, and my Department has engaged with them on this issue.

In relation to the specific issue highlighted by the Deputy, as soon as the encampment formed my Department immediately informed the CSSO to commence a legal response, and a notice to quit was subsequently issued. Should this be ignored a High Court order will be sought to remove any remaining caravans. This process will be followed for any encampment that forms.

In terms of addressing these challenges in the longer term, as the Deputy will be aware, for the last several years, the Department of Defence has been working in co-operation with Kildare County Council on the Curragh Consultancy Project, seeking to develop a suitable future management method.

The Conservation Management Plan report arising from this process has identified a number of measures for consideration, including a recommendation for a review of the Curragh Bye-Laws and the Curragh of Kildare Act, with a view to identifying possible amendments that could potentially provide more effective solutions to the issues of illegal encampments and other anti-social behaviour. The Plan also recommends considering transferring responsibility for the Curragh from the Department of Defence to a new or existing agency that has more expertise in the field of nature conservation and heritage management, so that the full potential of the Curragh as a social amenity can be realised. I am fully committed to pursuing a modern and sustainable regulatory model in managing the historically important landscape that is the Curragh