Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jan 1995

Vol. 447 No. 11

Written Answers. - County Wexford Land Purchase.

Hugh Byrne

Question:

110 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the amount expended on the purchase by the Office of Public Works of the area known as the Burroughs at Ballyteigue Bay, County Wexford; the area covered by the purchase; the reason for the purchase; the date of the purchase; the plans, if any, he has for the area; the knowledge and understanding of the Office of Public Works of the grazing rights of local farmers in the area; if the attention of the Office of Public Works or its local staff has been drawn to the discontent among local farmers regarding access to the Burroughs; if he will give details of means of access; if such access has been recently blocked by the Office of Public Works or other landowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1289/95]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I understand that an area of 21.18 hectares of sand dune was purchased in May 1994, being part of the lands on Inish and Ballyteigue Slob and Cull, County Wexford. For understandable commercial reasons it is not the practice to divulge financial details relating to individual contracts.

The purchase was undertaken to conserve the sand dune which is of ecological importance and was under threat from intensive farming. Sand dunes are a priority habitat under the EC Habitats Directive which obliges us to protect such habitats.

It is my intention to maintain the site as a grazed grassland. There are no grazing rights registered against the property. The previous owner was the only person entitled to graze the lands and an agreement is being entered into with him which will allow grazing at a desirable level. I understand that no right of access was conveyed to the State with the lands, as access is possible from adjoining State owned lands.

I am not aware of any discontent on the part of local farmers regarding access to these lands. There has, however, been a dispute with a local racehorse trainer who breached an agreement regarding access to the extended nature reserve area for the purposes of galloping horses. The Circuit Court granted an order restraining his activities in this regard. Two other horse trainers have been refused access for the purpose of galloping horses on this ecologically sensitive site.