Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Defence the total acreage of Haulbowline, County Cork; the amount of this in the ownership of the Defence Forces; the person who owns the remainder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38124/06]

Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will purchase some of the land at Haulbowline, County Cork that was formerly used by Irish Steel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38122/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.

Haulbowline Island comprises approximately 84 acres in total and is, in its entirety, vested in the Minister for Finance. The area of the Island formerly under Lease to Irish Ispat (previously Irish Steel), and now under the administration of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government arising from the liquidation of that Company, covers c. 44 acres. My Department administers the balance of the Island lands, which are occupied by the Naval Service. None of the lands on Haulbowline Island are in private ownership, however, Rocky Island, which lies between Haulbowline Island and the mainland at Ringaskiddy, was sold by the liquidator of Irish Ispat to a private individual in 2005.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has lead responsibility for the remediation of the Ispat site. In that regard, my Department has signalled Naval Service interests in the future use of the site.