Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 488: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to develop a house (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if approaches have been made to him to purchase the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8110/06]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Defence what the property at a house (details supplied) in County Wicklow is used for; and the amount of land there is on the site. [8111/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 488 and 489 together.

My Department currently holds the house and lands at the location in question, comprising an area of 4.83 acres in all, under lease. Over the years, the Department has received approaches regarding the disposal of its interest in the property and discussions in this regard are ongoing. Such discussions, however, may not come to fruition in the immediate future. The property is currently the location of the 62nd Reserve Infantry Battalion, Reserve Defence Force. The Department's property portfolio is kept under continual review and any properties deemed surplus to military requirements will be disposed of to fund much needed investment to meet the equipment and infrastructure needs of the Defence Forces.