asked the Minister for Finance whether the Commissioners of Public Works are the legal owners of the lands known as the Curragh Camp; whether local landowners have grazing rights for sheep on the lands; and, if so, under what conditions; and what are the powers of the Commissioners of Public Works in respect of such grazing and the subletting of such grazing rights.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Curragh Camp Grazing Rights.
Apart from the site of the military encampment which is vested in the Minister for Defence, the ownership of the Curragh is vested in the Minister for Finance. Provisions for the management and use of the property, including rights of sheep grazing, are contained in the Curragh of Kildare Acts, 1868 and 1870.
The Commissioners of Public Works administer the part of the property known as "The Greenlands" on behalf of the Minister for Finance but neither they nor the Minister have any powers in relation to the subletting of the sheep grazing rights.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the Commissioners of Public Works have any powers in respect of claims for grazing rights as distinct from the subletting of the grazing rights?
I am afraid I do not understand the Deputy's question.
A number of landowners in the vicinity of the Curragh Camp claim that they have grazing rights. Do the Commissioners of Public Works acknowledge those rights? Do they take any steps to check the basis on which these grazing rights are formulated and do they exercise any control over the conditions in respect of which these rights are sublet to other people?
I am afraid not. Some supplementary information I have says: The number of sheep which any of the persons concerned would be permitted to graze on the Curragh was assessed on the basis of one sheep per acre, I.P.M., and certain lands were held for those persons adjoining or adjacent to the Curragh. The number of rights awarded to any of the successful claimants was calculated on portion only of their holdings. The exact areas in respect of which rights were granted were never defined on a map and considerable difficulty would now be involved in ascertaining conclusively the exact areas in respect of which grazing rights were granted. Sales and sublettings of many lands are involved, which sales and sublettings have taken in areas in respect of which no grazing rights were allowed. I think that excerpt——
Makes it very clear!