Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is very welcome. I thank him for coming here to discuss this important matter for the residents of the Stamullen and Gormanston areas. The Defence Forces currently own land of 261 acres in the Gormanston area, upon which Gormanston Camp is based. The camp and the disused aerodrome occupy a certain portion of this land and much of the remaining land is leased for agricultural use. The land to which I refer is filed under folio numbers MH11409N and MH6108N. It was previously zoned for industrial use some years ago but remains unzoned since 2011. What future plans does the Minister have for the land surrounding Gormanston Camp? Will he consider the disposal of a portion of this land, approximately 8 to 9 acres, to the local community in order that it may develop community facilities?

This Government has made considerable strides in the past two years to establish bodies and frameworks, such as the Land Development Agency, in order that public land may be used in the most efficient manner to serve the communities where it exists. In the midst of a housing crisis, this often takes the form of housing. We all understand, too, that dwellings alone do not make a sustainable environment or community and that facilities and amenities must also receive funding.

If this parcel of land were to be placed under the remit of the local authority, it could be used to develop state-of-the-art football pitches for the local club of 360 members. These children have been using the facilities and pitches at the Franciscan College, Gormanston, but, for reasons outside of their control, will no longer be able to do so from April. Effectively, they have nowhere to go. This land could provide them with pitches of their own to enable them to train and play freely and reach their full potential.

In addition, the local area has been in need of a graveyard for some time. A portion of this land could be set aside for this purpose and provide an essential service to the community. Other plans for the area could incorporate child-friendly and family-friendly amenities, such as playgrounds, obstacle courses and fitness areas. We know that such community facilities improve quality of life and mental health in our towns.

Perhaps the Minister of State knows of some top-secret plans for this land, but cannot divulge them here. If no such plans exist, will consideration be given to allowing the land to be used and developed for the projects I have in mind? I would not ask the State for land if I could find land in those areas to serve the people whom I represent in the Gormanston-Stamullen area. I have gone after every landowner and farm owner in the area asking them to sell some land to the community. They just do not have any available. There is no zoned land in Gormanston. All of it was dezoned as part of the development plan, so there is nothing that can be sold for community use. I am here today to ask the State whether it would consider disposing of some of the land in question for community use.