I am aware that negotiations are ongoing with Cork City Council regarding the proposed sale of a portion of the lands at the Camp Field, Collins Barracks, Cork. I welcome the fact that the Minister appears to have taken on board certain concerns regarding the long-term future of Collins Pitch and Putt Club and the playing pitches in the Camp Filed. The purpose of my seeking to have this item discussed on the Adjournment is not to get into the specifics of that deal, but to focus on one aspect, namely, the situation regarding the existing residents in the Camp Field.

Currently, six of the nine officers' married quarters are occupied and to date the only information these residents have obtained regarding the proposed sale of lands, including the houses, has come from media reports. To the best of my knowledge, where quarters were previously disposed of they were offered for sale at market value to the incumbents. In this case, however, it is rumoured that they are being offered for sale with vacant possession. I understand that a number of these residents of these six occupied quarters would be glad of the opportunity to purchase their respective property, which in many cases has become their family home, at the market value. Needless to say, this period of uncertainty is most distressing for the families concerned because they have received no written communication of any nature concerning the implications for them and their families.

The Minister was good enough recently to meet with members of Collins Pitch and Putt Club, and I thank him for that. However, in the case of these residents there has been absolutely no communication. There is a human dimension to this issue as we are dealing with families and I seek urgent clarification on the following issues. Are the quarters, which are currently occupied on an open-ended owner-occupier basis, now deemed to be surplus to Department of Defence requirements and therefore identified for disposal in accordance with departmental policy? If so, will these properties be offered initially for sale to the present occupiers at a price determined by the Valuation Office in accordance with departmental policy and precedent?

If the properties are sold over the heads of the existing residents, what kind of notice to vacate or alternative accommodation will be offered to them? The Minister should not only answer these specific questions but also communicate with the residents regarding the future security of what have become their family homes.

In tandem with barrack closures I have had the question of the sale of further property surplus to military requirements also under ongoing examination to fund much needed investment to meet the equipment and infrastructure needs of the Defence Forces. The funds raised from the disposal of properties are being invested in the redevelopment of other military installations and essential new equipment. The amount expended on the barracks reinvestment programme alone amounted to approximately €68 million to the end of 2002.

The strategic focus of the investment programme for the period 2000 to 2010 is the acquisition of a broad range of equipment in order to achieve a balanced increase in operational capacity throughout the Defence Forces. For the reasons I have already outlined, I have decided that the Camp Field, Collins Barracks, Cork, will be disposed of and arrangements for disposal of the property will be put in train as soon as possible. In this regard my Department is in discussions with Cork City Council. My intentions concerning the disposal of this property were conveyed to the military authorities in March 2002.

The Camp Field comprises approximately 16.5 acres. The sports ground, which will be retained for military use, comprises an area of approximately 7.4 acres. The area to be disposed of therefore comprises approximately 9.1 acres, which is made up of officers' married quarters, tennis courts and the pitch and putt course. Collins Pitch and Putt Club occupies the pitch and putt course under licence from my Department and I am confident that a suitable arrangement will be worked out whereby they will continue to do so following disposal of the property.

The occupancy of the officers' married quarters is governed by Defence Force regulations. Personnel occupying married quarters do so as permissive occupants and not as tenants and are obliged to vacate the quarters when required, as provided for in regulations. There are nine officers' married quarters located within the Camp Field and, as the Senator outlined, six are occupied. All officers occupying these quarters will, in accordance with Defence Force regulations, be given sufficient notice to vacate same well in advance of the disposal of the property.

It will be appreciated that it is incumbent on me as Minister for Defence to ensure that my Department's property portfolio is managed in a manner which provides an appropriate level of holdings to support the accommodation, training and operational requirements of the Defence Forces, while at the same time disposing of properties deemed surplus in order to fund essential investment.

Naturally I am anxious to ensure that all the occupants are contacted in due course. I am in negotiations with the local authority to complete these arrangements. The other aspects of the issue will be dealt with not only in accordance with Defence Forces regulations but in the most humane and understanding way possible.

The Seanad adjourned at 9.25 p.m. until 10.30a.m. on Thursday, 27 February 2003.