The objective in the State acquiring these lands is to establish a Liffey Valley Park which will be co-operatively managed and maintained by the three local authorities concerned – Fingal, Kildare and South County Dublin – on the basis of an agreed management plan. I can advise that a revised draft management plan was agreed by the local authorities and approval in principle was given by my Department to this revised plan in early December last.
South Dublin County Council has already executed the legal transfer documents and the way is clear for Fingal County Council to sign. The remaining local authority, Kildare County Council, has submitted a request, which is under consideration at present, for a slight revision of the park boundary. Once this issue is resolved, execution of the legal agreements transferring ownership of part of the demesne to Kildare County Council can proceed.
The contract documents and management plan are designed to protect the interests of all parties involved and also to provide the flexibility for the development of a co-ordinated management strategy for the Liffey Valley Park for the benefit of the local community and the general public.
