Vol. 488 No. 5
8 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Kenny den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán cén plean atá aici í leith páirc náisiúnta a chur chun cinn ar an mBlascaod Mór, Contae Chiarraí, ag éirí as cinneadh na hArd-Chúirte le déanaí; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh [6725/98]
Tuigfidh an Teachta nár tugadh breith na hÁrd-Chúirte ach ar 27 Feabhra agus, go deimhin, gur thug an Chúirt tuilleadh suntais don chás dhá lá ó shin.
The High Court judgment raises a number of complex issues which require the most serious consideration by the Attorney General in consultation with the State's legal team and I am happy to advise the Deputy that this consideration is under way. However, it will take some time before this process can be concluded and I can decide how best to proceed with the treatment of An Blascaod Mór.
On a point of order, are the other questions on this topic on the Order Paper being taken with this question?
No, these questions are being taken in ordinary time. Priority questions are answered individually but there will be an opportunity to ask a supplementary.
Tá mé buioch den Aire as ucht an fhreagra a thug sí dom. An é do thuairim féin mar Aire Rialtais gur chóir go leanfaimís ar aghaidh leis an plean chun páirc náisiúnta a chur ar an mBlascaod Mór? Ar thug tú féin cuairt ar an oileán go fóill? Ar bhuail tú le muintir na háite ansin? Agus nuair a bheidh an cinneadh déanta ag an Ard Aighne agus nuair a thabharfaidh sé an t-eolas duit an dtabharfaidh tú leasú don Bhille isteach sa Dáil nó an ndéanfaidh tú Bille nua a thabhairt isteach chun an pháirc náisiúnta a chur ar bun go dlithiúil?
I want to reiterate the position because it is complex legally. Discussions between the Attorney General and the State's legal team are taking place. Until those discussions have concluded it would be premature to say what is likely to happen in regard to the 1989 Act. The island contains significant elements of literary and natural heritage which I want to preserve and conserve as part of our heritage. The question of repealing the 1989 Act or any other proposals would be premature. Given the lengthy High Court judgment it will take some time to consider what can be done from a legal point of view. When that consideration comes to fruition I will be in a position to inform the Deputy of my plans.
Is it still the Minister's intention to have a national park on An Blascaod Mór? Depending on the information from the Attorney General, will the Minister make a decision on a national park?
I apologise to the Deputy in that I did not respond to his question about a visit to the island. Given that this is a very important heritage site we have to consider how best to approach it, following from the legal decisions. I recognise the importance of An Blascaod Mór and I hope to visit it at some stage.
Does the Minister envisage an amendment to the legislation in which a national park is defined? Would some of the legal difficulties be resolved by including Inishvickillaune in the national park?
Will the Minister visit Inishvickillaune?
I know that is not meant to be a flippant question by Deputy Higgins. He will understand I cannot comment on either proposed legislation or the legislation already in place, namely, the 1989 Act until the legal position has been considered. Following the consultations between the Attorney General and the State's legal team we will decide how best to proceed with this matter. I cannot pre-empt that decision given that we have to examine the legal position. When that is completed we can look at the situation in the longer term.
What is the timeframe in relation to consideration of the legal framework? In other words, when will the State indicate its response to the court's findings?
At this rate we will not get to Deputy Seymour Crawford's Question No. 16 which deals with the scheme to preserve the corncrake.
I cannot give a definitive answer. We have to decide whether the case will be appealed to the Supreme Court. It involves going through a lengthy judgment by the Attorney General and the State's legal team. At this stage we do not envisage any undue delay.
(Dublin West): Maidir leis an mBlascaod Mór, an aontódh an tAire gur cheist annphráinneach í seo agus go bhféadfadh go mbeadh an Blascaod Mór i mbaol anois ar bhrú ó stróinséirí, ó lucht forbartha, ó bhoic mhóra a fhéadfadh iarracht a dhéanamh anois airgead mór a dhéanamh? An bhfuil fhios ag an Aire go bhfuil an-imní ar mhuintir Ghaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne i láthair na huaire go bhféadfadh dáinséar a bheith ann go gcaillfidís nó go gcuirfí smúit ar an seod stairiúil álainn atá i gceist? An dtabharfaidh an tAire geallúint solúnta anois don Dáil go mbeidh an Blascaod Mór in a pháirc stairiúil náisiúnta agus nach ligfear don seans dul thart? Tá fhios agat go ndúirt Tomás Ó Criomhthain agus é ag labhairt mar gheall ar mhuintir an Bhlascaoid, “Ní bheidh ár leithéidí aris ann.” Deirimse leat nach mbeidh a leithéid de sheans arís againn an seod álainn seo a fháil.
Ceist eile ná an inseodh an tAire dom ar gheall ar an dá mhilliún punt a gceapaim a cuireadh i leataobh do sheirbhísí nó d'áiseanna áirithe don Bhlascaod Mór? I understand £2 million was set aside in the past for the provision of certain services and facilities. Will the Minister enlighten us on this?
I agree with the Deputy that An Blascaod Mór is a beautiful, special and historic place and appreciate the urgency of the matter. On the moneys to which he referred, I will have to check the matter and come back to him. I hope Deputies realise, when there is a legal case pending, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the likely outcome. Once the legal issues have been resolved we can proceed further.
(Dublin West): Will the Minister indicate a timescale?
I have answered that question.
