Curragh management report due 'in coming weeks'

Displaying the continuing collegiality as enshrined in their respective parties, Newbridge’s two senior politicians have both recently attended a meeting in an effort to speed up the long-overdue report on the Curragh Plains.

Minister Martin Heydon, Fine Gael TD for Kildare South and Senator Fiona O’Loughlin were among representatives that attended a meeting with senior officials in the Department of Defence at Leinster House, whilst Senator O’Loughlin sat down with the Minister for Defence Micheál Martin on the same issue.

“I have received a number of complaints this summer and in previous years regarding the difficulties caused by a number of illegal encampments on the Curragh, and this meeting was a good opportunity for me to discuss these challenges and further plans for active management of the Curragh Plains,” said Minister Heydon.

Showing just how important the Plains are to the people of Kildare, over 3,800 public submissions were made during its compilation, yet the Department of Defence still sits on it.

“I have continuously pushed for this plan to be completed and published as soon as possible, following two rounds of public consultation.

The process has taken too long but yesterday we were informed that the plan will be completed in the coming weeks,” he revealed.

“I look forward to its publication. This plan can be the roadmap for a more proactively managed plains, bringing all who use the plains with us, very possibly under the authority of a different agency which could be the OPW, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) or a new body.

“The management of the plains in the future will require more resources and a specific skillset for managing a very special 5,000 acres of land at the heart of Kildare.

“I will continue to actively fight for those resources and a new approach for everyone who lives near it, or who uses it for sport, recreation, work or for those who see it a really important national asset that needs to be managed better”, concluded Minster Heydon.

Newbridge Senator, and Fianna Fáil’s sole General Election candidate in Kildare South, Fiona O’Loughlin also met with senior officials in the Department of Defence, as well as directly with the Tánaiste in relation to the repeated issues facing the Curragh Plains.

“I was pleased to get the opportunity to brief the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin TD on my private members bill, the Curragh of Kildare Amendment Bill 2022 which seeks to tackle the perennial issue of illegal encampments on the Curragh Plains,” said Senator O’Loughlin.

“The Tánaiste is well aware of the ongoing issues, most especially the challenges we have faced this summer, and he is investigating legislative options to tackle this issue.” 

Following this engagement, a meeting was held between senior Department of Defence officials to ensure that they were continuing their work in terms of tackling illegal encampments and ensuring long-term protections for the Curragh.

“We agreed that the current Curragh Act is not fit for purpose, that new legislation is needed in the area ... the Tánaiste is expected to make his views known on the issue in the coming weeks”.