Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 22 together. I am taking this question on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Deputy Alan Shatter.

Since 1998 a total of 14 barracks have been closed under various barrack consolidation programmes. To date, nine of these barracks - Clancy in Dublin, Castleblayney, Ballincollig, Fermoy, Naas, Monaghan, Cavan, Castlebar and a large portion of Longford - have been sold. In respect of the remaining barracks, agreement has been reached on the sale of Lifford and Rockhill to Donegal County Council. Discussions are ongoing about the possible sale of Clonmel Barracks to South Tipperary County Council and the remaining part of Longford has been reserved by the OPW for the local Garda Síochána. Magee Barracks in Kildare and Columb Barracks in Mullingar remain the property of the Department of Defence.

As with previous rounds of consolidation under the Defence Forces modernisation programme, once vacated, barracks are being disposed of, with the proceeds being used to fund the upgrading of Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure. Following each announcement of barracks closures, the Department of Defence has written to Departments and various agencies and local authorities seeking expressions of interest in acquiring any of the properties, including Columb Barracks, Mullingar, to benefit the local community as a whole but with particular emphasis on job creation measures. While some discussion has taken place about Columb Barracks, no substantial progress has been made towards achieving a sale to date. My colleague, the Minister for Defence, would of course be happy to discuss with any interested group proposals it may have for the purchase and development of the former barracks in Mullingar for the benefit of the local community.

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