Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 1991

Vol. 404 No. 4

Written Answers. - Killarney National Park Facilities

John O'Leary

Ceist:

147 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the grave concern in Muckross and Killarney town, County Kerry regarding the non-provision of facilities for the six rowing clubs by the Office of Public Works in the vicinity of the Lakes of Killarney, with particular reference to the workmen's rowing club facilities at Ross Castle, and the threat to existing facilities by his Department held by Flesk Valley Rowing Club at Muckross since 1923; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

The existing stone boathouses in Killarney national park are being restored and improved by the Office of Public Works on a phased basis as financial resources permit. To date the boathouses at Reen, where the Workmen's Rowing Club are based, have been restored. The club have been given exclusive use of half of one boathouse whereas they had to share this accommodation previously with others, so they have benefited from the renovations and improvements carried out there.

The Office of Public Works have no objections to the Flesk Valley Rowing Club continuing to use facilities within the park, but the club are claiming ownership of the facilities in question. This is not accepted by the Office of Public Works; the facilities are located within the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park which was given to the nation as a gift by Senator Arthur Vincent in 1932. The matter can be resolved amicably if the club accept a licence for the use of the facilities in question.