asked the Minister for Finance the progress that has been made regarding the provision of a pony trekking trail which has been planned for the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park, Killarney, County Kerry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Killarney Park.
5.
Mr. Kenny
A number of possible routes for pony trekking trails within the Killarney national park have been examined and it is hoped that one such trail will be in operation this summer.
6.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange for the provision of camping facilities for young people in the national park in Killarney, County Kerry.
Mr. Kenny
I do not consider it necessary or appropriate that overnight camping facilities should be provided in the national park. This is a service normally provided by private enterprise and I am aware that there is a number of privately owned camp ing sites in the Killarney area.
Is the Parliamen tary Secretary aware that the type of camping facilities which young people and persons catering for them, require in Killarney could not be catered for in private camping sites by reason of the large numbers coming to Killarney and who want camping facilities in large areas? It appears that the only place where such facilities could be provided is in the national park in Killarney.
Mr. Kenny
At one stage, I understand, there were facilities given to supervised groups within the national park. That was stopped because of the unsightly nature of those camps in exposed areas of the demesne. When ordinary campers saw the supervised camps they thought, mistakenly, they could use the facilities as well. This led to increased supervision by the wardens, to vandalism in some cases and to the danger of fire. Therefore, the facilities were all removed. I am sure there would be a clash between owners of commerical camping sites and a State-owned body such as the Office of Public Works if such were allowed.
Question No. 7.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say whether he has received a request from the National Youth Council of Ireland for the provision of camping facilities in the national park in Killarney? Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that should such facilities be granted proper supervision would be made available by the National Youth Council of Ireland, primarily through the religious orders in the country?
Mr. Kenny
My information does not specifically mention any such association. The National Youth Council of Ireland are not mentioned in the supplementary information I have here. Over the last couple of years, applicants for sites in Killarney national park have been informed that the question of camping here is under review, in the light of experience in previous years and of future development plans and that until that review is completed camping has been discontinued.
Question No. 7. The Chair is anxious to make some progress. This must be a very brief, final supplementary.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that there has been application before his Department for a considerable period from the National Youth Council of Ireland for camping facilities in the national park in Killarney and that that council have given a guarantee that proper supervision facilities will be provided?
Mr. Kenny
From experience we have found that guarantees are not usually lived up to. That has been the experience in Ireland. The Deputy can examine any guarantees or promises given and he will discover that such are not lived up to or fulfilled. When one is dealing with an amenity, or with a place of surpassing beauty—the only place in Ireland—one would like to see it guarded. I am sure the Deputy would not want to ruin that park for the sake of any political expediency.
Further arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply——
Question No. 7. We cannot debate questions. The Chair must be obeyed in these matters, by both sides of the House.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary saying that the National Youth Council of Ireland are not the responsible organisation?
When I call the next question I expect to be obeyed.
Mr. Kenny
I never mentioned that but I will say this, that the Deputy should have more sense and remember that Killarney possesses something not to be found anywhere else in the world.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that the national park in Killarney is an ideal place for the provision of camping facilities for the youth of Ireland?
I have given the Deputy a lot of facility on this question. Question No. 7.