Senator Byrne and Cllr Harding jointly arranged the meeting and expressed their gratitude to the Minister and the Council officials for attending.
Senator Byrne and Cllr Harding have been pushing the playground for some considerable time. Senator Byrne previously obtained the agreement of former Minister Martin Mansergh to give the go-ahead and Byrne has raised it on numerous occasions in the Oireachtas. Cllr Harding some time ago put a motion down on Meath County Council calling on them to work with the OPW for the provision of the playground and he described this week's meeting as an important step.
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Senator Byrne revealed that the Minister made a substantial financial offer and he hoped that Meath County Council would come up with one third of the funding.
Cllr Harding said that: "for every €1 the council puts into this project the OPW will put in €2. It will be of enormous benefit to the surrounding communities of Duleek, Donore, Slane and Stamullen and indeed to the county as a whole. I will be asking my Council Colleagues to back this plan."
Senator Thomas Byrne said he was also very enthusiastic about the move.
"There has been massive investment in the former Oldbridge Estate at the Battle of the Boyne site in recent years.There are now indoor exhibitions in the adapted Manor House and outdoor military equipment displays.Visitors can also enjoy an AV show in the converted stables, tearooms, gardens, walkways, picnic-area and parking," he stated.
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