I welcome the success of plans to restore and recreate the historical 18th century layout of the front of Killarney House, which is the former seat of the Earls of Kenmare and was known as Kenmare House.

There is a plan for gardens and ornamental grounds covering approximately 35 acres. The plan is very extensive and involved an archaeological survey and, in particular, trial trenching in order to pinpoint the exact layout of the paths and certain other important features. This is a hugely important addition to Killarney National Park and, as many Senators will know, it is immediately adjacent to the town. It will be a town park within the national park and will be another St. Stephen's Green, in the heart of Killarney.

I ask the Senator to conclude his advertisement for Killarney.

This is a huge gain for the nation and I thank the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan, for ensuring this work was allowed to continue. When the first plan was published by the then Minister, former Deputy Noel Dempsey, in 1990, I welcomed it enthusiastically. Plans were made even before then. I have been campaigning and championing this cause ever since. Unfortunately, there were officials who wanted the plan to be buried or allowed to gather dust but it is almost completed now and I greatly welcome the development.