asked the Taoiseach if he will consider the acquisition of Carton Estate in Maynooth, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Carton Estate (Kildare) Acquisition.
2.
As the Deputy is aware, Carton House and demesne are in private ownership and there are no current proposals to acquire them for the State.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the sale of Carton House has been mentioned in the past couple of years? Is the Taoiseach aware that there is a strong lobby in the region for the acquisition of the estate by the State? Having regard to the Taoiseach's interest in cultural and heritage matters will he investigate the possibility of approaching the owners who seem to be disposed towards the sale with a view to acquiring the estate as a national park for use by residents of the region? Will the Taoiseach consider allocating money from the National Lottery for the acquisition of the estate as a national park?
I agree with the Deputy that it would be very desirable and appropriate if this property could be acquired for public use. In saying that I am very conscious of the enlightened action taken by Dublin County Council in acquiring Malahide Castle, a property of a similar type. Unfortunately, as the Deputy is aware, budgetary constraints at the moment rule out any possibility of the State acquiring the estate. However, if some generous benefactor could acquire it and present it to the State, or even to the local authority, that would be very welcome. I promise the Deputy that I will keep in touch with this matter.
Will the Taoiseach use his good offices to approach the county councils of Kildare, Meath and Dublin, and some Government Departments, with a view to getting them to co-operate in the acquisition of the estate? I should like to ask the Taoiseach to bear in mind that there has been a huge influx of people into the north-eastern area of Kildare in recent years.
The local authorities concerned might well get in touch with Dublin County Council and learn from that body the arrangements they were able to make for the acquisition of a similar type of property.