Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Defence the contacts, if any, he has had with IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland in respect of the possible use of land at Magee Barracks, Kildare town, for development purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38057/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Officials from Enterprise Ireland and the IDA recently visited the barracks and on the 16th of this month I met with a deputation from Kildare Chamber of Commerce to discuss possible future uses. In terms of disposal the Deputy will appreciate that the market remains extremely difficult. Whilst I am open to any suggestions on the future use and development of the site I would like to reiterate that it is the Departments intention to dispose of the property, taking account of the market conditions, so as to maximise the return to the Defence Forces. Kildare County Council is currently preparing a Local Area Plan (LAP) for the town of Kildare. This plan will set out a vision for the future development of the town. The Magee site is a significant site in the town and will be a central feature of the plan. Accordingly it is unlikely that there will be any progress in disposing of the site until the LAP becomes available sometime next year.