Written answers

Tuesday, 9 May 2006

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Reserve

9:00 pm

Photo of Seymour CrawfordSeymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Defence if leases on property used by the Reserve Defence Forces have not been renewed since 1 January 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17151/06]

Photo of Tom HayesTom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Defence if the Reserve Defence Forces had to vacate the premises at the Coast Guard Station, Dún Laoghaire, which housed C company of the 62 Reserve Infantry Battalion; the impact same had on the unit; if the lease will be renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17158/06]

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason the coastguard station leased by his Department has been sold to the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Commission thus depriving the local Battalion of the Reserve Defence Forces of their training centre; if this development is contrary to the criteria under which the reserve was established in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17188/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 119 and 133 together.

A letting of the Coastguard Station at Dún Laoghaire had been held by my Department from Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company for a period of 4 years 9 months ending on the 31st March, 2006 for use by the Reserve Defence Force. The company informed the Department that it was not in a position to renew the existing letting agreement and a notice to quit was issued on 31st March 2006. The property was vacated on the 28th April, 2006. The local unit will be served from its Company headquarters at Rockbrae House, Bray. Arrangements have been made to reactivate training at the Oatlands College in Stillorgan and other training needs will continue to be reviewed by the Department in consultation with the military authorities.

Prudent management dictates that the requirement to lease properties to provide for the training and administration requirements of the Reserve Defence Force is kept under continual review. Among the factors attendant on the acquisition of properties for the Reserve Defence Force are the availability of suitable properties in the individual localities, conditions governing their letting, including the matter of cost effectiveness, and the changing requirements of both the lessors and the Reserve Defence Force Units from time to time. A total of 8 properties have been vacated this year. My Department will continue to source suitable properties for the Reserve Defence Force as the need arises.

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