Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
110. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the new terms and conditions which have been imposed on Castlerea Town Trust to ensure a more open and transparent operation of the trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6335/14]
View answer114. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he replied to the correspondence he received from more than 1,400 persons in Castlerea on the issue of the Castlerea Town Trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6334/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 114 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate it would not be possible for me to reply individually to the large volume of correspondence received in relation to the Castlerea Trust. I have however taken due note of the concerns expressed in that correspondence.
Castlerea Public Trust was originally created as a cowpark trust, where local landless people could graze a cow, but it has developed over time for use for recreational purposes. As Minister, I am solely empowered to appoint trustees to these Land Act trusts. The existing trustees notify my Department when any appointments are necessary and they also nominate persons suitable and willing to act as trustee. The minimum number of trustees in this trust is five and the maximum number is twelve.
In the case of the Public Trust, new trustee nominations were submitted to me last year. I subsequently requested the existing trustees to carry out a comprehensive review of the operation of the trust having regard to the need to modernise its use from mainly pasturage to accommodate general recreational use. The trustees were also requested to ensure that they prioritise communication and liaison with, in particular, youth and community interests for the ongoing development, preservation and increased community use of this important local amenity.
After careful consideration and on receipt of the review carried out by the trustees, I accepted their nominations for replacement trustees subject to the following conditions which they have agreed to adhere to:
1. There is a complete separation of the public and private trusts including separate bank accounts.
2. A five year plan is to be drawn up and presented to me.
3. An annual review is to be submitted to me each year setting out how the public trust monies are spent and demonstrating public consultation with all local interests, particularly youth and community interests.
4. The five year plan and the annual review are to be published locally and made widely accessible.
5. One member of the trustee board is to be rotated every two years.
The new trustees were appointed by me in October 2013.
