asked the Minister for Defence whether he intends to raise the necessary revenues to provide adequate, up-to-date accommodation for Army needs, by selling off existing, outdated buildings in his Department's ownership in Dublin and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Accommodation.
16.
An ongoing review of military requirements for lands and premises was intensified in recent years with a view to identifying major items of property which could be disposed of as surplus to requirements. As a result, a number of surplus sites have been selected for disposal as soon as they can be vacated. Where these sites are vested in the Minister for Finance, they will be returned to the Commissioners for Public Works and the properties vested in me will be put up for sale by public advertisement, if they are not required by other Departments. Any moneys realised from sales would accrue to the Exchequer as appropriations-in-aid of the Vote for Defence or of the Vote for Public Works and Buildings. In any event, I am not at all certain from the investigations made so far that any worthwhile revenue will accrue from the sale of old military barracks.
I am well aware of the pressing needs of the Defence Forces for modern accommodation for living, administration, operations, storage and recreation. As the Minister said in this House when introducing the Estimates for Defence 1987, provision of £9 million has been made this year for the upkeep, renewal and replacement of premises. While this figure is an improvement on last year's provision, there is still need for further investment in the modernisation of our main military barracks or alternatively in the construction of modern replacements.
That disposes of ordinary questions for today. I would now deal with priority questions if the appropriate Minister and Deputies were in the House.
May I move that the House adjourn until 3.45 p.m.?
Perhaps we could wait here until the Minister comes.
That is all right by me. I did not expect to finish Question Time so quickly.
The Minister's answers were so convincing we could not——
So brief and to the point.
A Cheann Comhairle, I understand your office gave good warning that this question would be taken at this stage. I was certainly told.
The Deputy is in error. It must be clear to Deputies that ordinary questions concluded earlier than anticipated.
Phone calls were made to our offices asking us to come to the Chamber.