Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is certainly an interesting proposal from Deputy Troy. I share his view that it is appropriate for any space to be handed over in an emergency humanitarian situation, such as these refugees fleeing from Ukraine and for people needing international protection.

I am conscious that it is a very large site. I am not a terribly technical person, but I do not see this as seriously disrupting the plans there. The plans are at an advanced stage but there is still a bit of work to do in order to get to the actual delivery point. We are all aware of that but we are all very committed to making it happen.

I join with the Deputy in praising the Longford Westmeath ETB and its chief executive, Ms Liz Lavery, with whom I had the chance to meet on a number of occasions. As the Deputy has said, the Columb Barracks site is currently owned by the Department of Defence. It is underused, with sections occupied by community groups, youth groups, and now as part of our emergency accommodation response. The entire Columb Barracks site is proposed for redevelopment by the LDA, with mixed use. I really believe that our sector can play a part as part of that overall master plan. I am very happy to keep the Deputy closely informed and to visit and meet him and the ETB on this in the coming months.

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