Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 23 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Park, Wicklow.

Liam Kavanagh

Ceist:

45 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Finance, with regard to the establishment of a national park in Wicklow, if he will outline (a) the total area and the townlands which will comprise the national park, (b) the total area of private and public land included in the park, (c) the areas to be included in any extension of the park in the future, (d) the number of sheep farmers who traditionally graze their sheep or who traditionally have grazing rights or who pay grazing per head rights within the park and (e) if he has had any discussions with sheep farmers or their representatives to outline any changes which may be contemplated for them as a result of the creation of the national park.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

The national park is being established with effect from 1 January 1991 in an area centred on the two nature reserves at Glendalough together with adjoining lands transferred by the Forest Service to the Office of Public Works for inclusion in the park. The total area involved is approximately 3,700 hectares and includes part or all of the following townlands: Brockagh, Seven Churches (or Camaderry), Lugduff, Conavalla, Baravore, Camenbuloge, Ballinafunshoge, Ballyboy, Derrybawn. All the lands within the initial national park area are State-owned.

It is the intention to eventually incorporate the greater part of the central uplands of County Wicklow in the national park, but this will depend largely on the willingness of landowners to dispose of, or enter into management agreements for their holdings, and on the availability of funds. In this regard upland areas of the Powerscourt Estate have been acquired for incorporation in the park in due course.

Officials of the Office of Public Works had a meeting in Roundwood on Tuesday 22 May 1990 with local farmers and their representatives to discuss this matter. Further meetings will be arranged if necessary to resolve any problems which may exist.