Written answers

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Training

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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582. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will operate a national emergency training unit from Columb Barracks in Mullingar, County Westmeath, in view of the security costs, costs renting by the Reserve Defence Force unit and poor facilities which are used by the Civil Defence which could utilise the barracks. [22919/14]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Following the closure of Columb Barracks, Government Departments and other Public Bodies were invited to identify any interest in the property. No such interest was expressed. In the meantime a one year lease was signed with Westmeath GAA County Board for the use of part of the former barracks as a centre of excellence for the development of Gaelic games in the County. Following on from this arrangement agreement has now been reached in principle for a long term lease with Westmeath GAA Board for the whole of the barracks and this will be put in place shortly. The barracks is also currently being used for training purposes by An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners (Specialist Dog Unit). There are no plans for any other operations within the former barracks at this time.

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