Illegal dumping and illegal encampments 'completely take away from the beauty' of the Curragh says Kildare Senator

A Private Members Bill introduced by Kildare Fianna Fáil Senator, Fiona O’Loughlin on the Curragh is due to progress to Second Stage in the Seanad

A Private Members Bill introduced by Kildare Fianna Fáil Senator, Fiona O’Loughlin, focused on the Curragh, will progress to Second Stage in the Seanad tomorrow October 22, 2024.

The Bill, titled the Curragh of Kildare Amendment Bill 2022, seeks to tackle the issue of illegal encampments on the Curragh Plains.

Senator O’Loughlin said: “The Curragh is a prime asset for the community and is of huge heritage value to us all in South Kildare.

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“It is my view that the current Curragh of Kildare Act is not fit for purpose and that new legislation is needed. The ongoing issues with illegal dumping and illegal encampments on the Curragh completely take away from the beauty of those who wish to use it daily and deter people from using this amenity.

“I was pleased recently to have the opportunity to brief the Tánaiste on the Bill. The Tánaiste is aware of the ongoing issue of illegal encampments, particularly the challenges posed by them this summer and I welcome that Department of Defence officials are engaging with the Chief State Solicitor to identify legal avenues that can be pursued to address the illegal encampments in the short term.

“A review of the Curragh by-laws and the Curragh of Kildare Act is underway in the Department and I appreciate the intention of that review is to ensure the Curragh plains be protected from such illegal activity in future. I brought forward this Private Members Bill because we need to see better protections for the Curragh Plains and I believe it can help in this regard.”