Vol. 439 No. 7
11 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself that proper care and attention is given to Garnish Island - Ilnacullin, Glengariff, County Cork; the criteria, if any, laid down as regards upkeep of plants, lawns and treatment of potted plants; and the plant inventory on this island.
22 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the concerns which have been expressed about the manner in which Garnish Island, County Cork, which is in the care of the Office of Public Works, is currently being maintained; and the steps, if any, that will be taken to ensure that this national treasure is maintained to the highest standard.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 22 together.
I am aware that certain criticisms have been made recently in a gardening magazine about Ilnacullin (Garnish Island). While it is not possible to satisfy all shades of opinion, I can assure the Deputies that the gardens are being managed and maintained to the highest standards. Problems have arisen from excessive rainfall in recent years combined with high visitor numbers resulting in damage to grass walks, but measures have been taken to counteract the problem and the position is being constantly monitored.
A vigorous year-round programme of horticultural maintenance is sustained together with extensive renewal of plants, shrubs and specimen trees. Management of the gardens is reviewed on an ongoing basis and additional works are undertaken as resources permit to improve the facilities there for the better enjoyment of the gardens by visitors, who numbered more than 80,000 last year.
A fully comprehensive computerised inventory is in place at Ilnacullin.
On a more general note, I feel the comments made in the magazine article in question, though obviously very wellintentioned, might have been better put directly to the commissioners in the first instance to enable them to respond or to put corrective measures in place if they felt this was warranted. I visited Garnish personally last July in the company of my colleague, Deputy Joe Walsh, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, and viewed at first hand the difficulties being experienced by the Office of Public Work's assistant park superintendent and his staff due to high rainfall and heavy visitor pressure.
Following that visit, the commissioners put in place a programme which will involve taking on additional staff shortly to assist in the gardens. This indicates the level of commitment there is within the Office of Public Works towards maintaining high standards on Garnish and preserving the excellent reputation it has as a tourist and visitor amenity. I can also assure Deputies that my own commitment to seeing this valuable amenity resource properly protected and developed in the future remains unchanged.
I take this opportunity to congratulate Deputy Sheehan on his elevation to spokesperson on the Office of Public Works. I look forward to working with him.
He is our senior Deputy in the constituency.
I thank the Minister for his kind remarks. I look forward to working with him to the benefit of the country. I have no doubt he is aware of the beauty and enchanting setting of Garnish Island which is a jewel in the crown of Stateowned property. I am sure he is also aware of the much worn grass walks, wet spots on lawns and paths worn through wooded areas. Admittedly we had a wet summer last year but measures should be taken to alleviate the damage caused. I would ask the Minister whether plants in container pots receive sufficient attention and if bedding hybrids of appropriate colours are chosen. Why are the walled gardens sprouting weeds and why was a famous specimen of Kashmir cypress allowed to die so that only the stump remains? It is a disappointment that this stunning garden is not properly maintained. The public owns the garden and the Office of Public Works is in charge of it. Is there not sufficient money available for its proper upkeep?
I should inform the Minister that this is not an isolated case. Glenveagh Castle in County Donegal, which is also under the control of the Office of Public Works, is in a similar condition.
That is a separate matter.
I urge the Minister to do everything possible to ensure that these flagship gardens are maintained.
Lest people get the wrong impression, I do not think the Deputy is criticising the staff on Garnish Island. If he was, I would take a different view of the matter. The staff there does a magnificant job. On the damage caused to the grass walks as a result of the high number of visitors and a succession of wet summers, 2,500 square feet of new grass turf have been laid, as have temporary bark mulch pathways. Signposts have been placed in and around the gardens to divert people from the worst affected areas — the valley has been most affected — and some areas have also been roped off. More than 500 square metres of monoslab honeycomb cement grid with a 75 per cent grass content is being laid in the worst affected areas. This will allow the grass to grow through the concrete and will protect it at a later stage.
On the question of plants and containers, if the Deputy and I visited the gardens at some stage we might be happy with the position, but somebody else might feel differently — it is very much a matter of personal taste. The plants in containers are very well looked after and are properly fed and watered. The plant referred to by the Deputy died simply from old age. An unsuccessful attempt was made to replace it and a further attempt is being made at present.
On the question of Glenveagh, the author of an article on this matter was contacted by the staff of the Office of Public Works on the criticisms he made in this respect, which were not as detailed as in the case of Garnish Island. I agree that he may have been somewhat over the top in his criticisms in this regard. I will be visiting Garnish Island again in June with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Joe Walsh, and I invite the Deputy to join us. If things are not 100 per cent right at that stage we will sit down and discuss how they may be rectified.
Is the Minister not bringing any Senators with him?
I thank the Minister for his kind invitation which I will gladly take up. I also thank him for his concern about the upkeep of this famous garden on Garnish Island. Will he do his utmost to rejuvenate the Kashmir cyprus, a famous specimen tree, which probably died from old age, a disease from which we are all suffering?
I cannot let that statement go unanswered — I do not feel old age creeping up on me yet.
