Written answers

Tuesday, 9 June 2009

Department of Defence

Proposed Legislation

8:00 pm

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Defence if the review of the strategic procedural and technical issues relating to the proposed establishment of a statutory authority to manage the Curragh of Kildare has been completed; if he will proceed with the Curragh of Kildare Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22380/09]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of the proposed Curragh Authority was recommended by the Interdepartmental Task Force on the Future Management and Development of the Curragh of Kildare. On 21 July 2004 the Government approved the Heads of Bill following the recommendation by the Inter-Departmental Task force.

The Bill is with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government for drafting. However, certain strategic, procedural and technical issues have arisen relating to the role of the proposed Statutory Authority which my department is currently examining. The main technical issue relates to the demarcation of roles between the Minister and the Authority. This concerns the use of lands by the Defence Forces that would be the responsibility of the proposed Authority but over which the Minister is the final arbiter in the event of any dispute. Amongst other issues, the Department is also looking at the varying usage of the lands by a range of different interests, not least the Defence Forces and how these can be accommodated and managed within the overall framework of the Authority's mandate and in a manner which provides an effective value for money solution for the State.

It is not possible to progress the drafting of the Bill further pending completion of the current review and a resolution of the related technical issues.

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