Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Department of Defence cannot be the landlord to a facility. We have given Westmeath County Council every opportunity to take over the barracks. Officials from my Department have been in contact with Westmeath County Council. I am also very much aware that Deputy Troy has spoken to officials from my Department and this has been outlined to him on a number of occasions. I hope he will be able to recognise that the Department of Defence cannot be the landlord of the barracks for the foreseeable future. As Deputy Troy well knows, the barracks is falling into disrepair and money needs to be spent on it. I understand there are a number of community groups in the barracks at present, but my officials will be in contact with the CEO of Westmeath County Council to ask whether it has a future in mind for the barracks. As Deputy Troy well knows, if State property is going from one institution of the State to another, we can hammer out some sort of a deal on that. I understand there is a public meeting on Thursday evening, but after that meeting, Deputy Troy and others can go to Westmeath County Council and explain their plan to the council.

I have spoken to officials in my own Department, as the Deputy has, and if there is no proposal we will go ahead with the sale. The proposal would have to come from Westmeath County Council so that it could be the landlord of all the community groups. It is not the responsibility of the Department of Defence to be the landlord for community groups.

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