Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for the disposal of any land or buildings owned by his Department or any section of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35876/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will confirm that the continued development of the Defence Forces will not require the sale of military installations in 2009 or in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35013/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 72 together.

The Defence property portfolio is kept under ongoing review by military authorities and the staff in my Department to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. This includes ongoing review of the organisation, structure and formation of the forces and the consequential requirement for military barracks and other properties.

The funding realised from the disposal of surplus military barracks together with pay savings has provided resources for the modernisation of the Defence Forces and has been invested in new infrastructure, equipment and training area development. Any further properties which are deemed to be surplus to military requirements will continue to be disposed of and the funding invested to meet the current and future equipment and infrastructure needs of the Defence Forces. That said, the question of disposal in the current market is an issue which will require detailed and prudent consideration to ensure that we maximise the return to the Defence Forces for properties sold.