Vol. 501 No. 2
219 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if problems with access to a school site (details supplied) in County Kildare will be dealt with as a matter of urgency in view of the fact it is holding up the progress of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5185/99]
The future management and development of the Curragh is being considered by an interdepartmental task force having regard to the immense archaeological, cultural, environmental and historical significance of the area and requests for new encroachments cannot be considered pending examination of the recommendations of the task force.
The Curragh is classified as a national monument and is in the process of being designated as a natural heritage area. It is, accordingly, incumbent on my Department to protect the State's interest in the property.
The Department of Education and Science has been advised to contact the owners of the property in order to obtain a right of way which would allow the site to be accessed directly from the main road, the Green Road, thereby obviating the need for an opening onto the Curragh Plains.
