Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, I thank the Senator for raising this important issue today. Unfortunately, I wish to advise the House that there are no plans to dispose of any land held by the Defence Forces in the Stamullen and Gormanston areas to local authorities for

The Minister and I fully appreciate the importance of local community groups and the outstanding work that they do across the country. Indeed, the Defence Forces have a very proud tradition of working with such groups and, where possible, facilitating them. I understand that there have been previous requests from a local community to access these lands and that officials in the Department set out the difficulties with accessing operational military areas. The use of this military facility has grown recently for training purposes and this level of usage can be expected to continue in the coming years. I understand this request was considered at the most senior levels within the Defence Forces and the Department but, regrettably, it was not possible facilitate the requested access for the reasons I have mentioned.

While the Defence Forces engage with numerous community organisations across the country and make their premises and facilities available to local groups when possible, military landholdings should not be viewed as a resource to be handed over for civilian use whenever requested. These are military sites for military activities, and this should always be borne in mind. Apart from any future requirement, it is vital that the Defence Forces have access to land and facilities at present where they can train and engage in manoeuvres to ensure operational readiness and their ability to carry out tasks assigned to them by the Government.

I thank the Senator for raising the specific issue of lands in the Stamullen and Gormanston areas today and, on behalf of the Minister, I assure the House that the Defence Forces will continue the positive community engagements that happen all over the country on a regular basis.

The Senator raised an important issue regarding football pitches in her area and the fact that the lands at Franciscan College Gormanston are not available to them for some reason. She also referred to child- and family-friendly situations and the provision of a graveyard. She has made a compelling argument and I have no problem with her writing in to express her views. I will bring them to the attention of the Minister. The Senator said there were 270 acres and that she was looking for 5 or 6 acres.