asked the Minister for Defence if he will release portion of the thousand acres of land which is held by his Department at Kilworth Camp, County Cork to the Agricultural Institute for research work; and if he will sanction the release of the remainder on a long term basis to land holders in the vicinity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kilworth Camp (Cork) Lands.
36.
Seventy-six acres of the land in question are let to An Foras Talúntais for research purposes and all other parts of the land which are suitable for agricultural purposes are let either on a per capita grazing basis or to individuals. Owing to military requirements no further portion of the land can be made available to An Foras or let to individuals on a long-term basis.
The land at Kilworth Camp is very good agricultural land and it is a disgrace to see it lying idle when it could be put to some useful purpose.
Please ask a question, Deputy.
Would the Minister reconsider the decision of the Department and allow long-term leases of this land? This would be in line with the general policy of the Minister for Agriculture. Perhaps more of this land could be given to An Foras Talúntais for research and development work. Would the Minister undertake to consider this?
I should like to be able to give better news to the Deputy but these lands comprise the only area available to Southern Command for tactical training and field firing, as well as classification range firing. The area caters annually for the exercising of about 6,000 officers and men. During the periods in which personnel are being trained for service with the United Nations abroad, the Kilworth lands are sometimes inadequate because of the increased fire power and range of modern weapons and the danger zone now extends into adjoining forestry lands in certain areas. Proposals are being formulated for the development of other military uses of the land, including a landing strip for light aircraft and a battle practice range. I do not see any possibility of doing as the Deputy suggests. It may appear to him that a lot of land is not being used properly but it is being used for the purpose for which it is designated.
I do not agree. Long-term leases with the aim of improving the land would not hinder military activities. It would be much better to reclaim this land and I would ask the Minister to consider this.
The Deputy appears to be saying that there should not be land available for the training of Army personnel. I do not think that is what he means but this would be the effect of his suggestion. I should like to be more helpful but it is not possible.