Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of staff currently employed at the military archives at Cathal Brugha Barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23779/06]

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of recommendations made by the interdepartmental committee advising his Department regarding the military archives at Cathal Brugha Barracks; the number of recommendations which have been acted upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23778/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 61 together.

The military authorities advise that at present the staff strength of the Military Archives is three, comprising a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer and a private. The military authorities advise me that a strength of 5, including suitably qualified replacements for two retired Officers, is sufficient to meet the current demands on the Military Archives. I appreciate the importance of returning to five full-time equivalent staff in the military archives without delay.

The requirement for a more suitable home for the Military Archives has been recognised for some time. The primary focus has so far been on the National Museum of Ireland facility at the former Collins Barracks Dublin, long considered as the most appropriate location for the Military Archives.

Facilities are required to protect and safeguard the material currently stored and to provide for the deposition of future material, as well as permitting easy public access. An Inter Departmental Committee was established in early 2003 with terms of reference to examine and to advise on the best means of protecting and safeguarding the Military Archives by way of securing their removal from Cathal Brugha Barracks to new premises to be developed at the former Collins Barracks Dublin.

The Inter Departmental Committee focused on feasibility studies based on a detailed examination of various locations around and within the Collins Barracks site. These studies were carried out up to early 2005 by a firm of architectural consultants engaged through the Office of Public Works.

The consultants identified potential locations within the Collins Barracks site. However, these feasibility studies also raised serious issues around the cost, planning and building/ architectural protection considerations involved in meeting the demands of the Military Archives on the Collins Barracks site. The implications of the serious questions raised about the location of the full Military Archives on this site are being examined in my Department.

Particular challenges and difficulties in re-housing the Military Archives at Collins Barracks would be posed by the provision of extensive modern purpose-built facilities within the restrictions of an historic built environment. Consideration of some usage of the Collins Barracks site has not been exhausted. However, I have asked the Interdepartmental Committee to extend its search beyond Collins Barracks and to revert to me with options. I have also requested that any scope for locating the Military Archives together with or alongside the National Archives continue to be explored in line with that body's own development plans.