Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Defence if he intends to proceed with the proposal for Connolly Barracks, Longford; and if so, if he will provide an outline of same. [17595/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Since the mid-1990s, the Department of Defence has been engaged in a programme of disposing of surplus properties and using the proceeds for reinvestment in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces. The former Connolly Barracks is one such property. I have received no proposal in regard to Connolly Barracks. The Midland Regional Authority undertook a feasibility study into the possible use of the former barracks for a range of activities. The acceptance and implementation of the recommendations of the Connolly Barracks feasibility study are a matter for the two local authorities that commissioned the study. The Department has no role in this regard.

I understand the local authorities are still considering the report and the challenges in providing funding for the acquisition of the barracks. In that context, Longford County Council has expressed some interest in acquiring the barracks and discussions with the council are at a preliminary stage. In the event of these discussions not reaching a satisfactory outcome, Connolly Barracks will be disposed of, taking account of the market conditions so as to maximise the return to the Defence Forces.

In the meantime, the departmental officials concerned have been in contact with the county council to determine whether a basis exists to bring the discussions to a mutually satisfactory conclusion. These discussions will be advanced once the authorities have completed their consideration of the report.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I am accompanied by Deputy Robert Troy who has been pursuing this issue. I understand Longford County Council is waiting for a response from the Department on its proposal. As the Minister knows, the proposal was quite detailed. It was for the creation of five zones of development in Longford focusing on an education centre and tourism, arts and crafts facilities. Everybody would agree with the concept. The Department has a role in that it owns the property in question. Does the Minister envisage setting a deadline for the negotiations so everybody will know where he stands as soon as possible? Given the proposal's value to the community, can it be pursued in such a way that everybody is going in the one direction?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There is no difficulty in everybody going in one direction. Essentially, this is a property that is available, owned by the Department of Defence and has a commercial value. As I understand it, the feasibility study to which the Deputy referred is being considered by the local authorities and it is for them to take the initiative in the matter. I can say to the Deputy without any difficulty that the officials in my Department will engage in and discuss the matter. The local authorities will be aware that the study recommends the development of five zones within the barracks site for the provision of adult and further education facilities, arts, crafts and food produce initiatives, community and commercial facilities and a river park and play area. There will be substantial costs involved in this development, and the matter is essentially one for Longford town and county councils.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The feasibility study was finalised and presented to the Department at the end of last year. Six months later, there seems to have been a breakdown in communications somewhere. Will the Minister ask his officials to make contact directly with Longford County Council to see whether this can be progressed so the people of Longford know what is going on?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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For almost three months of the six months, Deputy Calleary's party was in government and there was a degree of confusion as to who actually was the Minister of Defence because Mr. Killeen resigned and Deputy Ó Cuív was appointed and then we had a general election.

I want to reiterate if constructive proposals can be implemented which are in the public interest, which address the commercial value of the barracks and which are clearly in the interest of Longford, my officials will participate in discussions to bring about such a resolution. However, it is for the Longford authorities to come to terms with the financial implications of any arrangements that might be implemented to meet requirements in this regard. There is no difficulty with the council dealing with matters with officials in the Department of Defence and I encourage that. However, at the end of the day specific proposals must come from the council for the Department to consider.