David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Nos 60 and 81 of 10 March 2010, regarding the membership of the Office of Public Works working group to manage and develop Haulbowline, the names of the representatives from his Department and the Departments of Defence, Enterprise and Innovation and Finance on this group; if the group has now met and begun working on its report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22252/10]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Nos 60 and 81 of 10 March 2010, if the terms of reference of the Office of Public Works working group to manage and develop the former Irish Ispat site at Haulbowline have now been finalised; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22253/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 56 together.

In mid-April 2010, the Office of Public Works (OPW) convened the first meeting of the Working Group set up to develop a structured and coherent approach to the further management and development of the site at Haulbowline. The Terms of Reference for this Working Group are as follows:

1. to consult with the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces with regard to their future requirements for the site, and any security issues, which need to be considered;

2. to outline the developing issues, particularly technical constraints, site boundary issues, zoning issues, and regulatory requirements of the site;

3. to develop, following local consultation, a comprehensive list of possible future uses;

4. to assess the likely cost/benefit scenario for any likely proposal, and to ensure that the preferred option shows good value for money;

5. to endeavour to report to government within a six month timeframe.

It is important to note that the Terms of Reference of the Working Group are confined to looking at possible future uses for Haulbowline Island. The Terms of Reference do not include matters relating to contamination or matters relating to remediation or containment measures on the site. Such matters will be considered in light of the Government's consideration of the recommendations of the Group as to the future use of the site.

Cork County Council continue to discharge site management responsibilities on an agency basis.

The Working Group is chaired by the OPW Commissioner in charge of Property Management. The other members of the Group are Principal Officers from the following Sections / Departments:

Property Management Branch, Department of Defence

Enterprise Strategy and Inward Investment Unit, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation

Waste Policy Section, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Sectoral Policy Division, Department of Finance.