Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
249. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views on security at this country's largest tourism sites (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21262/24]
View answerKilkenny Castle, with a history of over eight hundred years, is one of Ireland’s most popular heritage sites and last year attracted over half a million people on guided tours of the Castle while nearly nine hundred thousand visited its fifty acres of rolling parkland. Other features include a formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and a man-made lake, which were added in the nineteenth century. There is also a tearoom, playground and several orienteering trails and visitors can enjoy a range of events throughout the year such as Heritage Week, Culture nights and the Kilkenny Arts Festival.
The Office of Public Works is committed to providing a safe and secure experience for visitors and for staff. As at all OPW National Historic Properties, there are established procedures for the safe management of this site. The staff implement the OPW Safety Statement and Safe Operating Procedures developed on site to ensure the safety of staff and public. Site specific risk assessments and safe operational procedures are completed and updated on a regular basis. These include procedures required to address bomb threats, dangerous incidents/occurrences, violent behaviour, abusive behaviour, robbery, vandalism or theft of collection, missing children and fire evacuation. Fire drills are held regularly. The OPW employs Fire and Security professionals who lead on ensuring that security systems in place are operating to the highest standards and are upgraded regularly.
The OPW employs dedicated park constables and additional private security to control and monitor all activities at the Castle during opening hours. The staff of the OPW play a key role in ensuring visitor safety by, on a daily basis, remaining vigilant and identifying any possible risk or hazards. Upon identifying any risks or hazards, all relevant staff, contractors and third party stakeholders are informed and staff implement the relevant response procedures.
Regarding people accessing the site without permission at night by climbing over walls, there is a balance of preserving the historic fabric of the Castle and managing the risk of antisocial behaviour. For decades, the OPW has successfully managed the security of Kilkenny Castle at night balancing the risks associated with the physical nature of the castle walls and structures and the risks of anti-social behaviour and unauthorised access. The grounds continue to be monitored outside of opening hours with full cctv and with night-time security patrols which are supported, as required, by An Garda Síochána. It is not possible to make the walls entirely breech-proof given the nature and design of the historic walls which are an integral part of the historic character of the Castle.
Vehicular access to the grounds is carefully managed by OPW staff during our opening hours. Unauthorised vehicular access is not possible out of hours when the gates are locked. In reviewing security risks and operations no requirement for movable barriers has been identified.
