(Leagan Gaeilge thíos)

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, today issued a plea to the Government to consider purchasing the land for sale at An Chonair, also known as the Conor Pass.

The Cathaoirleach of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and Irish Speaking Community said:

“It is not often that almost 1,400 acres of outstanding natural beauty come up for sale.

“The Conor Pass is a gem of the West Kerry Gaeltacht in terms of both cultural and natural heritage as the gateway to Corca Dhuibhne. The land in question encompasses three lakes, significant forestry, agricultural and mountain grazing, as well as valleys, waterfalls and breath-taking views.

“There will, no doubt, be significant interest from overseas and from private interests to take up possession from the current American owner.

“However, it would be remiss of the Irish State not to examine the possibility of obtaining the land for the people, to safeguard this unique landscape for future generations.

“Not only is the site of national importance in terms of tourism and as an amenity for the local community of Corca Dhuibhne and County Kerry.

“The opportunity also presents itself as a prime location for developing a new national park and engaging in the type of rewilding and nature conservation that is often discussed but rarely put into practice by Government.

“It is 25 years since we established our last national park at Nephin in County Mayo, and it is a disappointment that despite being in Government for 6 and a half of those years, the Green Party have shown no interest in developing new national parks elsewhere in the State.

“We now have a perfect chance at showing a bit of ambition and securing ownership of the Conor Pass and its surrounds for the people of Ireland.

“Sinn Féin is calling on the responsible Ministers – Darragh O’Brien as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Catherine Martin as Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media – to work together and engage with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the local community in Corca Dhuibhne to gage their needs and examine if the State could step in and buy the land.”

Ba chóir don Rialtas smaoineamh faoin talamh ag Barr Conarach a cheannacht – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD

Mhol urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, inniu don Rialtas macnamh a dhéanamh ar an talamh atá ar díol ag an gConair a cheannacht.

Dúirt Cathaoirleach an Chomhchoiste Oireachtais don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge:

“Ní minic a thagann 1,400 acra sáráilleachta nádúrtha ar an margadh.

“Seod is ea An Chonair i nGaeltacht Iarthar Chiarraí, ó thaobh na hoidhreachta cultúir agus nádúrtha maraon agus é mar thairseach Chorca Dhuibhne. San áireamh sa talamh atá ar dhíol tá trí locha, coillte suntasacha, féarach talmhaíochta agus sléibhe, chomh maith le gleannta, easanna agus radharcanna den scoth.

“Níl aon amhras faoi ach beidh suim suntasach ann ó thar lear agus ó fhoinsí príobháideach i seilbh a ghlacadh ón úinéir reatha Meiriceánach.

“Bheadh sé faillitheach ag an Stát Éireannach gan iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar féadarthachtaí an talamh a fháil don phobal, chun an tírdhreac aonarach seo a chosaint do na glúnta amach romhainn.

“Ní hamháin go bhfuil tábhacht náisiúnta ag baint leis an suíomh ó thaobh na turasóireachta de, nó mar áis don phobal áitiúil i gCorca Dhuibhne agus i gContae Chiarraí.

“Tá deis ann freisin mar láithreán foirfe chun páirc náisiúnta nua a fhorbairt agus tabhairt faoin gcineál athbhunú fhiántais agus caomhnú dúlra atá pléite go minic gan a bheith curtha i bhfeidhm ag an Rialtas.

“Tá 25 bliain caite ó bhunaíomar an páirc náisiúnta deireanach ag Néifinn i gContae Mhaigh Eo, agus is mór an díomá é in ainneoin iad a bheith i Rialtais ar feadh 6 bliain go leith den tréimhse sin nach bhfuil suim dá laghad léirithe ag an gComhaontas Glas i bpáirceanna nua náisiúnta a fhorbairt áiteanna eile sa Stát.

“Tá seans iontach againn anois beagáinín uailmhian a léiriú agus úinéireacht a shocrú ar an gConair agus an gceantar máguaird do mhuintir na hÉireann.

“Tá Sinn Féin ag impiú ar na hAirí freagrach – Darragh O’Brien mar Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta, agus Catherine Martin mar Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltacht, Spóirt agus Meán – obair as lámha a chéile agus dul i mbun comhairle leis an tSeirbhís Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Fiadhúlra agus leis an bpobal áitiúil i gCorca Dhuibhne chun a gcuid riachtanais a thabhairt san áireamh agus chun oibriú amach an bhféadfadh leis an Stát seasamh isteach agus an talamh a cheannacht.”