Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to improve the facilities, including increasing the number of personnel and extending the accommodation at the military archive, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17155/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The military authorities advise that the staff strength of the military archive is three, comprising a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer and a private. As I told Deputy Timmins earlier, two further commissioned officers serving at the military archive retired recently and approval has been granted for their replacement. The requirement for a more suitable home for the military archive has been recognised for some time. The primary focus has been on the National Museum of Ireland facility at the former Collins Barracks, Dublin, long considered the most appropriate location for the military archive. Facilities are required to protect and safeguard the material stored and future material as well as permitting easy public access. An interdepartmental committee was established in early 2003 with the terms of reference to examine and to advise on the best means of protecting and safeguarding the national military archive by way of securing its removal from Cathal Brugha Barracks to new premises to be developed at the former Collins Barracks, Dublin.

In the period up to early 2005 architectural consultants commissioned by the OPW carried out feasibility studies based on a detailed examination of the Collins Barracks site. The consultants identified potential locations within the Collins Barracks site. However, they also raised issues around the cost, planning and building or architectural protection considerations involved in meeting the demands of the military archive on the Collins Barracks site. The implications of the serious questions raised about the location of the full military archive on this site are being examined in my Department.

The challenge with rehousing the military archive remains the provision of extensive, modern, purpose-built facilities within an historic built environment. Consideration of some use of the Collins Barracks site has not been exhausted. However, I am considering revising the terms of reference of the interdepartmental committee and reactivating it to broaden the search for a solution to this issue. I have also requested that the scope for locating the military archives together with or alongside the National Archives be explored further in line with that body's own development plans.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Minister obviously believes the situation is no longer suitable for the excellent service the military archive provides. I welcome his decision to re-examine the terms of reference of the committee that previously sat because while it came up with recommendations, there is a view that it has stagnated. It is important to get it right. Does the Minister take the view that the service should remain in Dublin? That is important because many people come from abroad to consult it. In recent years we have made a virtue of showing how much we get for selling property in Dublin as the Government and the OPW try to justify decentralisation. Will the Minister look at some of the properties the OPW is trying to sell and the loss of which might be short-sighted? The Minister mentioned the National Museum. Did he mean the one on Bishop Street?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I referred to the museum at Collins Barracks.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Is he talking about relocating to Collins Barracks?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Does the Minister make a clear distinction between the National Archives and National Museum and a military museum? I am not aware that we have a national military museum. The National Museum has occasionally displayed matters of a military nature. Obviously the archives are a different matter. Could a military archive and military museum be housed within the same general space? Has the Minister considered this possibility?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I said when the interdepartmental committee was set up in 2003 that the primary focus was on the National Museum of Ireland facility at the former military barracks, Collins Barracks, Dublin. It was asked to determine whether the military archives could be taken out of Cathal Brugha Barracks and relocated at Collins Barracks — this was the extent of its brief.

Difficulties have arisen. Initially the architectural consultants produced three reports outlining the pros and cons — mostly cons — of certain locations within Collins Barracks. Subsequently, in January 2005, the consultants produced two further reports. Difficulties have arisen in respect of all the proposed locations and I have therefore revitalised and reactivated the interdepartmental committee and asked it to extend its search beyond Collins Barracks. It is more or less understood and I can confirm that the search will not extend beyond Dublin. I have sent word to the interdepartmental committee, and intend to tell its members personally that I want a range of options by the end of the summer, at which time we will have to decide on one option or a combination thereof.

Deputy Costello will be aware that the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is responsible for the National Archives and it has been engaged for some time in trying to find another home for them. The Department of Defence in turn has been speaking to that Department to determine whether we could work together and house the military archives and the National Archives in one building. These discussions have not gone particularly far and I do not believe we will achieve our objective, desirable as it may be.