Tánaiste and Minister for Defence commits to prioritise solution for Curragh protection

Local Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has said that she is, and will continue to, keep maximum pressure on the Department of Defence, Kildare Co Council and An Garda Síochána to see a solution to the repeated issue of illegal encampments on the Curragh.

She explained that she has been in regular contact with An Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin and his senior team, both formally and informally, to ensure that this issue remains high on his agenda.

“In correspondence received today, the Tánaiste confirmed that he wants to ‘ensure that we move to a modern and sustainable regulatory model in managing this historically important landscape.’ I have been pursuing such a model at a national level since 2016, when I was first elected to the Oireachtas,” she said.

“The Tánaiste expects to receive a final draft of the Curragh Consultancy Project for review in the coming weeks. I understand that this report contains a number of recommendations to deal with this issue in the longer-term.” 

Senator O’Loughlin added: “I am confident that the Tánaiste understands the concerns and the issue and will play his part in ensuring that we find a solution to this issue and will continue to keep the pressure on to see the Curragh Plains protected.” 

The Tánaiste has also committed to a formal meeting with the stakeholders.