Taoiseach Says Progress Has Been Made For Future NPWS Management Of Curragh Plains

Monday, 11 May 2026 15:23

By Daniel Maher

The Taoiseach spoke before he attended the official opening of a new brewery in Newbridge this morning

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that progress has been made for the National Parks and Wildlife Services to be the "lead organisation" for the management of the Curragh.

The Taoiseach spoke on Kildare Today before he attended the official opening of the new Diageo Littleconnell Brewery in Newbridge this morning.

One of the talking points he addressed was the ongoing issue of illegal encampments on the Curragh:

"High court action has been taken to move on the illegal encampments and there has been some progress on that, but it is an annual phenomenon that has to be dealt with."

"It could do with a national body like the National Parks and Wildlife Services to take over and be the lead organisation in terms of the overall management of the Curragh."

The Taoiseach also spoke about the upcoming budget, saying that the Government would give "earlier consideration to make sure that we have plans laid out well in advance" due to Ireland holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December this year.

He said the Government could consider introducing taxation measures or social protection measures to help people with the cost of living.

“That's the approach we'll take. And we'd have to weigh that carefully in terms of making sure we have enough resources for education, for health and for housing, because to me, housing still remains the key issue facing the people.”

The full interview can be heard below: