Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
123. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the specific steps he has taken to ensure the total prevention of illegal encampments taking place across the Curragh Plains in 2025 (details supplied); the costs incurred by his Department in dealing with the incursions and the inevitable clean ups that are necessary in the aftermath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1068/25]
View answerThe 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 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. I remain fully committed to pursuing a modern and sustainable regulatory model in managing the historically important landscape that is the Curragh.
An external firm is contracted to remove waste stemming from these illegal encampments, I am informed that the cost for these clean-ups for the most recent year, ending 31 December 2024, was €185,944.94 incl vat.
