Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 42 together.

Defence Forces married quarters are provided to serving members until their retirement or resignation. Defence Forces regulations state the quarters must be vacated within 15 days of leaving the service. The current situation has arisen as a result of a failure to do so.

Following previous attempts to resolve the situation regarding the unauthorised occupation of the quarters in question, a letter was sent to the occupiers on 11 September 2008 as a first stage in commencing a process of dialogue. The occupiers were requested to make arrangements to vacate the premises and to make alternative arrangements for their accommodation as soon as possible, but no later than the end of October 2008. On 18 September, a further letter issued to the occupiers inviting them to a meeting with the Department on 23 September. At that meeting they were informed the deadline was not set in stone and that my Department would, if at all possible, welcome the opportunity to work with them to achieve a solution favourable to all parties. It seems all occupiers wish to purchase the quarters.

My officials undertook to review the possibility of selling to the occupiers and a further meeting has been scheduled for the end of October. It is hoped substantial progress will be made by that time to facilitate a solution that meets the needs of both the occupiers and the Defence Forces. I am encouraged that the process of dialogue has commenced and hope it will come to a satisfactory conclusion.

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