Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a list of all the assets worth more than €100,000 that his Department has sold since 1997; the total value of all these assets; the purposes for which the proceeds from the sale of same were used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16308/05]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will supply an inventory of all assets, specifically land and buildings, disposed of by his Department in each of the past ten years; if transactions were in accordance with proper procedures in the case in which such apply; the date of each sale; the location and asset disposed of in each case; the disposal price agreed; and the purchaser involved. [16410/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 308 together.

In the normal course of events, the disposal of land or buildings used by my Department is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. However, the Prison Service has disposed of several properties in recent years, the details of which are set out below. In 1996 the old Garda station in Kells, County Meath, which was vested in the Minister for Justice, was conveyed to the Department of Defence.

My Department has not disposed of any other assets which exceeded €100,000 in individual value during the period in question.

All three transactions were conducted by approved property agents on behalf of the Minister for Justice. The agents in all three cases were appointed to handle the transactions following a tender process. Each transaction was approved by the Department of Finance.

Everton House was sold following a tender procedure. Women's Aid was not the highest bidding party. However a decision was taken at the time that it would be appropriate to sell the property to the Women's Aid organisation. The property in Manorhamilton was sold to the highest bidder following a tender procedure. The property in Shanganagh Castle was sold to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council following negotiations between the council and the Prison Service. The proceeds from the Everton House and Manorhamilton transactions were transferred to the prisons Vote from the Chief State Solicitor and will be transferred to Central Exchequer at the end of 2005. While contracts have been signed for the sale of part of the grounds of Shanganagh Castle, the sale has not yet been fully completed. As of 17 May 2005, 50% of the proceeds, €4.5 million, has been received from the council and these proceeds are held by the Chief State Solicitor's office. The remaining 50% is scheduled to be lodged by the council with the Chief State Solicitor on 30 May 2005.