Conor Pass deal 'too early' to call but negotiations ongoing

The land was put up for sale last August by its American owner, prompting calls for the Government to step in and ensure the stunning landscape remains untouched. Picture: Daft.ie

Negotiations by the State to purchase Kerry's Conor Pass are ongoing, but sources said that it was "too early" to say a deal will be done.

The land was put up for sale last August by its American owner, prompting calls for the Government to step in and ensure the stunning landscape remains untouched.

However, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar immediately baulked at the €10 million pricetag. While Minister of State for Parks and Wildlife Malcolm Noonan has engaged with the seller’s agent, it is understood he is not willing to pay even close to what is being demanded from US owner Mike Noonan.

Government sources have said that the land is not in good ecological condition and public money may be better spent on other pockets of land that are more biodiversity-rich. However, it is understood that negotiations have been ongoing for some time and that the Government hopes to conclude a deal.

However, one senior source said that it was "too early to say a deal has been reached". It has previously been understood that Mr Noonan's department would pay less than half the per acre rate quoted.

Castleisland-Corcha Dhuibhne Councillor Breandán Fitzgerald told Radio Kerry today the purchase of Conor Pass would be like bringing Fungi the dolphin back to Dingle.

"This will be like Fungi the dolphin coming to Dingle. We will have a national park on our doorstep. We lost Fungi but we will have gained a national park, he said.

The 120 acres of land, which is a special area of conservation and is beside Killarney National Park, is described as “mountainous in nature” with the National Parks and Wildlife Service saying that the "mosaic of natural habitats on site present a very positive conservation opportunity".

It is understood that if a deal is reached, the land would pass into the ownership of the NPW.