Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Defence the plans he has to extend the naval base at Haulbowline, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2778/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Haulbowline Island comprises 84 acres approximately. The property is vested in the Minister for Finance. The Naval Service currently occupies c. 40 acres and these lands are administered by my Department. The balance of the Island lands which were formerly under Lease to Irish Ispat (previously Irish Steel) are under the administration of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government arising from the liquidation of that company.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has lead responsibility for the remediation of the Ispat site and my Department has signalled Naval Service interest in the future use of the site to that Department. The Naval Service interest in the site relates primarily to meeting the additional berthage needs of the expanding naval fleet. The Naval Service has also expressed interest in acquiring part of the former Ispat site to consolidate the existing naval base while also providing better access and parking facilities.