Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Jul 1926

Vol. 16 No. 22

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DUNMORE MILITARY BARRACKS (GALWAY.)

asked the Minister for Finance whether the military barracks, Dunmore, Co. Galway, with the lands attached thereto, have been let, and, if so, to whom and on what terms, and if not, and having regard to the fact that the local priests and people are desirous of obtaining possession of this property for the purposes of a school and recreation ground, and are prepared to pay a fair price for same, he will favourably consider their application.

The barrack has not been let. A proposal to reconstruct a portion of the barrack for the accommodation of the Gárda Síochána is under consideration, and until some definite arrangement is reached we are unable to take any steps for the permanent letting of the property. In the meantime the land attached has been let after due compliance with the terms of Section 2 of the State Lands Act, 1924, to Mr. Michael Fleming of Dunmore for six months at a rent of £5 for the period. An application has been received from Canon Curran for a lease of the premises for the purpose of erecting a school, and this application will be considered if the property becomes available for letting.

Can the Minister state why this temporary letting was made seeing that an application was sent in by the parish priest on behalf of the residents of the district to have this place set aside for the purposes of a school and recreation ground?

The letting was made because it was considered to be the best way to dispose of the lands temporarily. If there was any application sent in by Canon Curran prior to the period during which the letting had to lie upon the Table of the House, the Deputy had plenty of time to give notice of a question.

Mr. COSGRAVE

Is the Minister aware that Canon Curran, on behalf of the people, made application and received no reply?

If the application was made by Canon Curran after the date on which the letting was made under the terms of the State Lands Act, 1924, then obviously nothing could be done further than what I have set out in the reply—that the application will be considered if the property becomes available for letting. There was a certain period during which the details of the letting had to lie on the Table. Deputies were aware of it and they could have then intervened.

Mr. COSGRAVE

Will the Minister guarantee that Canon Curran's application will get due consideration?

I have stated that it will be considered if the property becomes available for letting.

Top
Share