I also raise the issue of Castletown House in Celbridge. The Tánaiste and I have discussed it directly on a number of recent occasions and, indeed, it was ventilated on the floor of this Chamber a few moments ago. This is an issue of huge significance not just to the 80,000 people living in close proximity and the communities of Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth, Straffan and into Lucan and beyond; it is also a nationally strategic site. The Tánaiste is familiar with the background. Unfortunately, half of the estate has gone into private ownership, and not only has 200 acres been lost to the State and the public but access to the house and remaining lands has been compromised as a result, with what is called the N4 access taken away.

We have met the OPW and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and we are meeting that agency again tonight. My sense is we may need to take a broader, more holistic, collective approach from the Government, potentially across multiple agencies, and use the resources and expertise the State has. It is at a stalemate between the OPW and the landowner. We may need to think creatively about this. I ask that the resources and expertise of the State be brought to bear in trying to crack this nut and to restore this valuable asset to the people of north Kildare but also to the population at large.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue, as Deputy Durkan did earlier. I know Deputy Lawless has been advocating on it for some time, because of the significance of the estate and the access the public enjoyed for a considerable length of time. As I said earlier, it is important that all involved, including those who own the land, have due regard for the importance of public access, for societal cohesion and for the well-being of the community. My experience is the State generally takes a fair approach to these issues, working with all interests, and that is my first appeal. I am always conscious in situations like this that I do not want the State held to ransom either or to be leveraged unfairly. That said, I think the State will look at every option to try to put the public interest first, along with the recreation and well-being of the wider community who use the facility.