Vol. 421 No. 4
106 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a local voluntary group is willing to purchase the land which is being sold to the Killarney Golf Club; whether he will consider this offer; and if he will outline his views on this offer.
No formal offer to this effect has been made. The land in question comprises approximately 876 acres and was acquired by Coillte Teoranta for commercial afforestation. I understand that the company are, however, willing to dispose of the property to Killarney Golf Club should agreement be reached in relation to the lease by the Office of Public Works of the area on the periphery of Killarney National Park which is required, along with other lands in private ownership, in connection with the proposed third golf course. Coillte will not carry out any planting on site before a decision is taken on the golf course issue.
The land is located in Foardal town-land and is similar in nature to adjoining lands within the National Park. It would be a significant addition to the park, ensuring that the area remained available for grazing by red deer and that it retained its high landscape-scenic qualities. This would not be the case if the area was planted commercially for timber production. The property, therefore, has a significant commercial value in this regard.
I might add that no final decision on the granting of a lease to the golf club will be made until details of the proposed layout of the course are made available to the Office of Public Works, and the potential impacts of same are examined.
Any bona fide offers from voluntary organisations to purchase land for Killarney National Park, or indeed any national park will be welcomed by me.
