Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
399. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason he ordered a wide ranging review of the countries six national parks; if he is considering privatisation of these parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18554/14]
View answer410. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will ensure that the proposed review of services in National Parks will recognise that Killarney National Park is the most successful and longest visitor park attraction with over 250,000 people visitors per annum and it is imperative that this flourishing National Park is in the hub of tourism in this country; his views that it is retained in its present format where excellent staff, unique environment and traditional ancillary services and amenities of jaunting cars, bicycle and pedestrian routes and so on ensure that the visitor experience in the iconic park is unmatched; if he will acknowledge this and retain and maintain Killarney National Park as it is currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19310/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 410 together.
As I indicated in a statement on 14 April 2014, I have no plans whatsoever to sell national parks, which include Killarney National Park, or to privatise the management, preservation or conservation of these parks.
At the same time, my Department is always looking at ways to improve the tourism and education dimensions and visitor services at national parks, whilst making the best use of the resources available. In that context, my Department will continue to explore the potential of using alternative models to augment its visitor services and nature education services nationally.
For information, the statement to which I referred earlier is available on my Department’s website and may be accessed at the following web address: http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/PressReleases/2014/April2014PressReleases/htmltext,17802,en.html.
