Dick Spring
Question:37 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline his plans for the future of the National Park at Killarney, County Kerry.
Written Answers. - Killarney National Park.
In 1990, the Office of Public Works published the Killarney National Park Management Plan, which sets out Office of Public Works' policies in relation to the protection of the Park's natural and cultural resources, and also their objectives for the provision of visitor facilities to enable the public to visit and appreciate them.
In general the policy of the Office of Public Works is to encourage people to visit Killarney National Park for inspirational, educational, cultural and recreational purposes, under conditions compatible with the conservation of the environment.
The Office of Public Works manage and monitor visitor activities to provide for this public use and enjoyment and regulate, where necessary, the amount, type, time or place of visitor activities to ensure the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage. All new proposals for Park use will be evaluated in terms of their impact on the natural and cultural heritage.
Facilities provided for visitors will be harmonious with the cultural heritage, compatible with natural processes, and as physically accessible as possible to all visitors.
The Management Plan sets out conservation plans for the Park. One of the biggest challenges in this area is the control of rhododendron ponticum, which has infested up to 900 ha. of native woodland. To date, 282 ha. have been cleared, and extensive work on further clearance is ongoing.
Another main conservation aim is the removal of coniferous forestry plantations, and their replacement on a phased basis with natural vegetation, ultimately with the aim of integrating these areas into the other zones of the Park.
The Management Plan also sets out Development Plans for visitor facilities at the Park. Improvements are ongoing at Muckross House. Since the Management Plan was published the Boudoir and Ante-Room have been refurbished, and further works on the Billiard Room, and "Queen's Room" are expected to be completed this year.
Work on the adaptation of the laundry wing as the National Park Information Office, Audio-Visual Theatre and display area was completed this year.
Other development plans stated in the Management Plan include the widening of the main road at the Carrigafreaghane entrance to the Park, while proposals have also been set out for the future restoration of Killarney House and Demesne. The proposals for the Demesne include a major tree planting programme, restoration of internal pathways, development of car-parking areas and the restoration of the lands adjacent to Killarney House.
The development programme for Ross Castle and its environs is another major proposal set out in the Management Plan. The programme includes the provision of toilet and boating facilities, extensive landscaping and an information service for visitors. To date an improved car-park at Ross has been provided, landing facilities at Ross have been greatly improved, extensive landscaping work has been completed and a new information office opened.
Additional walking routes and footpaths within the Park are proposed. These include the provision of a path from Knockreer to Fossa, an alternative route for the Kerry Way and a "Winter route" route from Derrycunnihy to Gearhameen. The feasibility of a walking track around Lough Leane will also be examined.
At present the Park is 10,129 ha. in extent. It is the policy of the Office of Public Works to acquire further lands for inclusion within the National Park, resources permitting. In this regard there is a proposal to provide approximately 90 acres of land previously leased for cattle grazing on the periphery of the National Park to the Killarney Golf Club as part of a third golf course in return for which the Office of Public Works would acquire 876 acres of upland deer range adjacent to the Park. No decision, however, has yet been made, since no final plans of the proposed layout of the course have been made available to the Office of Public Works. I want to assure the House that any plans submitted to me will be critically examined to ensure that the conservation and amenity qualities of the area are safeguarded.
I will arrange to have a copy of the management plan given to the Deputy so that he can be fully briefed on all aspects of the conservation of Ireland's largest national park.