Fine Gael Kildare South TD and Minister Martin Heydon along with his colleague Minister for Defence Simon Coveney have thanked and acknowledged the almost 3,700 people who recently made submissions to the public consultation on the future of the Curragh Plains.
Martin Heydon said “We are very grateful to the almost 3,700 who took the time to give their vision for the future of the Curragh Plains. The Curragh Plains is a national treasure and holds a very special place in the hearts of Kildare people in particular, but such a special resource needs to be protected. I look forward to continuing my work with the Department of Defence and Kildare County Council through this consultation process to improve the management and conservation of the Curragh Plains for generations to come.”
Minister Coveney set out the next steps in the consultation process “where this will go from here, is that we are going to assess now those 3,700 contributions, put in place a response to that, and hopefully by the end of the year, have a plan in terms of governance structure for the management of the Curragh Plains in the interests of the public, in a way that of course understands the strategic partners on the Curragh like the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence as well as many others.”
“It is hoped that by the end of the year, a new proposal will be ready in terms of how to protect this extraordinary natural resource not just for Kildare but for the Country as a whole” continued Minister Coveney.
“It’s really about protecting this great resource for us in Kildare who use it and are so passionate about it, but also recognising it as a national asset and I look forward to the future work of this consultation, in conjunction with Kildare County Council in the months ahead” concluded Minister Heydon.