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Chamber welcomes commitment to enhance National Park

Government confirmation that a number of capital projects are to be advanced to aid the recovery of Killarney National Park from the devastating wild fires has been warmly welcomed by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.
Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, TD, has confirmed in Dáil Éireann that his department will work to enhance the activity programme in the park this year and that a “significant number” of capital projects will be progressed to enhance the visitor experience.
Minister Noonan was responding to a parliamentary question from Kerry TD and Deputy Government Chief Whip, Brendan Griffin, who asked what plans were being made to help the park to recover.
Welcoming the capital projects announcement, Killarney Chamber said it was very encouraging also that Minister Noonan confirmed that many of the 60 new conservation rangers to be recruited will be deployed in the Killarney and the southern region. They will deal with a range of functions, including wildlife crime.
Minister Noonan also praised the role played by the Killarney Meitheal group which he described as “a hugely valued volunteer corps”.
Meitheal coordinator, retired park ranger Peter O’Toole, has confirmed that the group is ready and willing to resume its work on the eradication of the invasive rhododendron, in conjunction with the NPWS, once COVID-19 restrictions allow.
Minister Noonan expressed his gratitude to the NPWS and Fire Service staff whose swift response saved the vaunted ancient woodlands and other important habitats from the recent wild fires.
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce President, Niall Kelleher, said it is very reassuring that the Minister of State and his officials hold Killarney National Park in such great esteem and that it remains very high on their list of priorities for further development and enhancement.
“On behalf of everybody in Killarney, I thank Minister Noonan for his very proactive approach and I thank Deputy Brendan Griffin for ensuring the park remains well up there on the political agenda,” the Chamber President added.
Minister Noonan said staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service are conducting work to assess the initial impacts of the fire and they are currently mapping the entire boundary of the blaze and using satellite data.
Conservation rangers are now undertaking internal mapping of the area that was damaged and conducting preliminary assessments of the impacts and severity of the fire on various habitats and vegetation types. NPWS officials are also preparing specifications for a comprehensive, in-depth assessment of the long-term effects of the fire and where restoration efforts can be concentrated.