Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 5

Adjournment Debate. - Curragh Camp (Kildare) Abattoir.

Mr. Dukes

Thank you for allowing me to raise this issue.

It is reported that two potential operators have expressed an interest in securing a lease on the abattoir in the Curragh Camp in order to restart slaughtering operations there. The proposed scale of operation is said to be some 40 cattle per day, or 200 per week.

This abattoir was constructed in the last century for military needs only. When last in use, it supplied meat to the Curragh Camp and to the installations in Kildare town. The kill level was very low — only a tiny fraction of what is now proposed.

It is totally unsuitable on physical, health, environmental and amenity grounds for the proposed use, it is too small. It has not got an effluent disposal system to cope with the proposed kill level.

It is located in close proximity to residential areas in the Curragh Camp. It is close to the schools in the camp, to St. Anne's special school, to the Drogheda Memorial Hospital and to Athgarvan national school. The public health implications of the proposed operation are appalling.

The installation is right beside the golf course and a stone's throw from Donnelly's Hollow, one of the most famous spots on the Curragh. It is right in the heart of an unspoiled amenity area, which is the resort of thousands, not only from the county of Kildare but from further afield. The whole area should be preserved and developed as an amenity rather than have unwanted commercial operations imposed on it.

There is no need for an abattoir in the area. There is more than adequate slaughtering capacity within easy reach of the area to cater for the domestic meat trade. In any case there can be no question of that abattoir being used for the export meat trade.

The installation in question is the property of the Minister for Defence and no operations can take place in it without his consent. Nobody in the area wants or supports the proposed development. On the contrary, local residents and all other local interests are unanimously opposed to the idea. I, therefore, call on the Minister for Defence to state unambiguously and unequivocally that no development or operations of the kind proposed will be sanctioned in that place on the Curragh.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Daly)

I am glad Deputy Dukes has afforded me the opportunity of replying to this question on the Adjournment. As he has rightly said, the abattoir in the Curragh had been used for many years to slaughter cattle for the provision of beef to the Curragh Command — this included areas in Kilkenny and Naas in Kildare. In 1988 following a review of the operation of the abattoir it was considered to be more cost effective to arrange for the supply of beef on contract to the Command. Accordingly it was decided to close the abattoir for slaughtering purposes. At that time roughly seven or eight animals were slaughtered per week. As I have said, because it was found to be more cost effective to contract the beef supply, the whole system was changed in 1988-89. Slaughtering there ceased from 31 May 1989. Since then, as the beef was supplied on contract, the premises was used only for storage, for cutting up beef sides and for distribution of the beef within the Curragh Command generally.

Proposals have been received in my Department relating to leasing the facilities at the Curragh for commercial purposes. I might add that we did not seek these proposals. The first proposal was subsequently withdrawn and quite recently we received another inquiry. At this stage I could not say that they are firm proposals; they are mainly inquiries from people who would be interested in using the facility if it were made available for commercial purposes. The Department have had a number of discussions on the proposals but no decisions have been taken. The suitability of the premises for slaughtering on a commercial scale is just one aspect of the matter. Of major importance would be the environmental impact generally of such an operation in the Curragh area and this would have to be taken into account.

I received representations this afternoon from my two colleagues, Deputy Charlie McCreevy and Deputy Seán Power. I understand that a meeting took place last night at which all the Deputies were represented and at which local opposition was expressed to any proposal to undertake commercial operations in this premises.

I am fully aware that this is a high amenity area. I am also aware of its proximity, as Deputy Dukes has said, to schools, housing and hospitals. I am aware that when the premises was used prior to its closure, there were effluent problems there. All these matters, including the scale of use and the operation that might be undertaken there, would have to be taken into account and fully considered before any decisions could be made in that regard. Finally, I am aware of the concern of the interests in the area. I assure the Deputies that the Department will give the most careful consideration to the views put forward here tonight and that no decision will be taken on this matter without the fullest evaluation of any proposals and objections thereto.

Mr. Dukes

We just want the Minister to say no.