Vol. 402 No. 4
16 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Killarney red deer will be under threat if the land, suggested to become part of a third golf course in Killarney, County Kerry, is leased for this purpose as the land is a sizeable portion of the deer's grazing land; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 21 together.
I am of course aware that there is concern at the proposal to lease approximately 90 acres of Killarney National Park to Killarney golf club as part of a third golf course. However, I am satisfied that, rather than undermine conservation and amenity values, any agreement with the golf club will benefit these qualities.
The area in question is located on the periphery of the national park. It has been let for grazing cattle as it is not regarded as an integral feature of the national park. It forms only a small part of the red deer's grazing land within the park but in any event that area would continue to be available for grazing by the red deer herd under any agreement that may be reached with the golf club.
Negotiations with the golf club are ongoing at present and consequently, I am unable at this stage to give precise details of the terms and conditions that would attach to any agreement between the parties. I can, however, indicate that in order to meet the requirements of the Office of Public Works the lease would have to contain the following conditions. (a) Building development on the lands will be prohibited; (b) There should be no interference with the movement or grazing of the red deer over any lands controlled by Killarney golf club; (c) A public footpath will be developed through the lands linking Killarney town with Fossa; (d) The club will have to keep to a minimum any tree removal on all lands to be included in the proposed third golf course. The club will also have to provide compensatory planting in accordance with a plan agreed in advance with the Office of Public Works; and (e) A lease of the area in question for a term of 99 years and subject to the foregoing conditions, would be granted to the golf club provided the State gained the full commercial value of the lease. In this regard the Office of Public Works proposed that the club acquire lands for conservation by way of extension of the national park. This has been accepted in principle by the golf club's committee and negotiations are proceeding on this basis.
It is evident, therefore, that this proposal does not represent a potentially damaging precedent for our national parks. Indeed, I would consider the leasing of peripheral land on conditions that will continue to protect its amenity, and heritage values, and in return for a significant extension to the national park, is a precedent which could only be regarded as beneficial to conservation generally.
Will the Minister agree that the treatment by the Office of Public Works of the golf club contrasts very strongly with their treatment of St. Brendan's GAA club who, having occupied a very small area of the national park for many years, have been told to go? This is clearly a case of elitism in favour of the golf club as against the GAA club which obviously caters for a different category of the population.
That is an inaccurate statement. I have been in contact with the president of St. Brendan's GAA club and informed him that no decisions will be made until we have a complete discussion with him. Recently in Killarney I launched a plan, the first, for a national park which was widely welcomed by everybody representing various clubs and organisations in the Killarney area. It also received an enthusiastic welcome from the Green Party in Killarney.
Does the Minister agree with the views expressed by An Taisce in regard to the subject matter of my question to the effect that the leasing of public lands designated as a national park to a private organisation like a golf club undermines the very purpose of a national park, which is to protect our heritage. Is the Minister familiar with the designation by An Taisce——
The Deputy got it wrong, Killarney Golf Club is owned by Bord Fáilte.
Well, I am quoting from An Taisce and they said that the leasing of public lands designated as a national park sets a dangerous precedent.
The Deputy should have done a little more research.
Well, An Taisce said that it is a private organisation.
Is the Taoiseach answering questions today?
I opened a beautiful new clubhouse there.
Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile. Both of us can be wrong on occasion and I stand corrected if that is the case. Will the Minister comment on the allegation of An Taisce that the negotiations in this context were conducted in secrecy, which is both unjustified and reprehensible?
Negotiations in that matter are proceeding, they have not been finalised. I am aware that An Taisce are fully familiar with the details of what is involved in the Killarney National Park. The plan we published identified that area as one in which some limited amenity interests should be accommodated. The plan has been widely welcomed by all parties. The Deputy is getting into areas with which he is unfamiliar; he would be well advised to leave the matter alone.
He knows another part of Kerry better.
