Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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618. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has considered renting block O or block P of Columb Barracks, Mullingar to a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32137/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Mullingar Barracks is no longer required for military purposes. Therefore, the current financial and administrative burden resulting from the retention of the Barracks cannot be sustained. As it is planned to dispose of the property, it would not be appropriate to facilitate any further community groups in using the Barracks. However, in the context of the Barracks' potential future use contributing to the positive development of Mullingar, my Department remains open to viable proposals to these ends. I would suggest that local groups should engage with Westmeath County Council to explore such opportunities. Should no viable local proposals emerge in the near future my Department will proceed to dispose of the property by public auction.