Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Haulbowline Island comprises approximately 84 acres. The property is vested in the Minister for Finance. The Naval Service currently occupies approximately 40 acres and these lands are administered by my Department. The balance of the island lands were formerly under lease to Irish Ispat, formerly Irish Steel, prior to the liquidation of that company.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has lead responsibility for the remediation of the Ispat site while the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has responsibility for the future use of the area of Haulbowline Island that is not part of the naval base. My Department has signalled Naval Service interest in the future use of the site to both Departments. The Naval Service interest in the site relates primarily to meeting the berthage needs of the naval fleet. The Naval Service has also expressed interest in acquiring part of the former Ispat site to consolidate the existing naval base while also providing better access.

My Department is also represented on the working group, under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, concerning the future of the former Ispat site and will make its requirements known when this group meets.

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