National Parks and Wildlife Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2014

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Ceisteanna (625)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

625. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of all grazing rights allocated to persons by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to graze 406 acres on Drummin Mountain in County Wicklow; the ownership basis of this area that gave the Office of Public Works the legal right to allocate grazing rights to persons; if these rights supersede pre-existing vested rights to graze this mountain; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40317/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The lands referred to by the Deputy are subject to grazing licences, which are renewed on an annual basis. In acquiring these lands for Wicklow Mountain National Park, it was agreed at the time of the transfer of ownership to the State that the Department would continue to renew these licences to existing holders of tenants of good standing. Should the leases no longer be required by the current holders, they may become available in the future by way of public tender. For data protection reasons, it has not been the practice to release the details of individual leases.