Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Since the announcement of the Government decision on barrack closures in November 2011, the Department of Defence has written to each Government Department and various agencies and local authorities seeking expressions of interest in acquiring any of the properties to benefit the local community.

In this regard, there have been discussions between officials from the Department and a number of other State agencies, including the Department of Justice and Equality - I am also the Minister for Justice and Equality - in relation to the sale of a portion of the barracks in Clonmel for a new Garda station, an issue in which the Deputy is particularly interested. These discussions are ongoing. I assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to dispose of the barracks so as to maximise the benefits to the local community.

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