Council has no further role in Curragh Plains management plan
Curragh Plains
KILDARE County Council has confirmed it no longer has a role in implementing the Curragh Plains Management Plan, following the submission of the completed conservation strategy to the Department of Defence late last year.
In a written response to a question from councillors Peggy O’Dwyer and Tracey O’Dwyer at a recent meeting of Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, the council outlined the current status of the long-awaited plan for the management of the Curragh Plains.
The council said the delivery of the Curragh Plains Management Plan was carried out as a collaboration between Kildare County Council and the Department of Defence.
The Curragh Plains Conservation Management Plan was submitted to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, for consideration in December 2024. The Tánaiste subsequently approved the publication of the document.
However, the council noted that a number of key measures are still required before the plan can move to implementation.
These include legislative amendments, funding and resource allocations, and the establishment of the organisation or organisations that will oversee the future management of the Curragh Plains.
“At this time, Kildare County Council has no further role in the implementation of the plan,” the response stated.
Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer asked the council if it had requested an update on the situation. A council representative answered that the role ended after the handover of the document to the Department of Defence.
“Would we not have a keen interest?” said cllr Noel Heavey, pointing out that the Curragh Plains are the “heart of the MD”.
The council was asked to write to the Department of Defence on the matter.
