Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 4

Written Answers - Lough Key (Roscommon) Developments.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

254 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on whether a national park should undergo intensive commercial development in view of the development planned for Lough Key Forest Park in County Roscommon, which will include a 156-bedroom luxury hotel, 33 chalets, an equestrian centre, a golf course, a swimming pool complex and ancillary works, including sewage treatment, roads and lighting. [20824/96]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

255 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on whether the hotel development in Lough Key Forest Park, County Roscommon, is in keeping with the Forestry Act, 1988, which states that Coillte Teoranta is required to have due regard for the environment and amenity consequences of its operations; and his views on whether the privatisation of this park is a loss of amenity to the public. [20825/96]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

256 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether Coillte Teoranta has permission under the Forestry Act, 1988 to sell off national parks without his approval, such as Lough Key Forest Park, County Roscommon. [20826/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 254, 255 and 256, together. There are provisions in the Forestry Act, 1988, and in the memorandum and articles of association of Coillte Teoranta which require that the company must obtain Ministerial approval for a development such as that proposed at Lough Key Forest Park. There are, however, a number of aspects of the proposed developments on which Coillte is awaiting clarification from the project promoters. Accordingly, no definite proposal has yet been submitted to me for approval.

I am satisfied that the proposed project is in keeping with the mandate given to Coillte Teoranta under the provisions of the Forestry Act, 1988. In so far as environmental and amenity issues are concerned, it is appropriate to bear in mind that these were considered in the context of a detailed assessment of the proposed project which has already been undertaken by the relevant planning authorities. The planning permission which was granted following this process includes conditions related to the protection of the environment and there is also specific provision for continued access by the general public to the park. In this regard, I would stress that Coillte Teoranta made it clear to the project promoters from the very outset of discussion in 1990 that continued public access to the park was a prerequisite to its consideration of any development.

Given that I have not yet received a definitive proposal from Coillte Teoranta, it would be premature to comment further on the nature of the development envisaged. In the event of a formal proposal being received, I will, of course, have regard to the protection of local and national interests and I envisage consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Tourism and Trade, in that eventuality.