Vol. 402 No. 2
42 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to a decision by Dublin City Council's planning committee to list Collins Barracks, Dublin 7, for preservation; if, in view of this, he will consider any alternative to the proposed sale of the barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware that the Planning and Development Committee of Dublin Corporation agreed at a recent meeting to a proposal that certain buildings which form part of Collins Barracks, Dublin, should be listed for preservation. As regards the proposed sale of Collins Barracks, planning is proceeding in relation to the evacuation of the barracks and the relocation of the troops stationed there to new and refurbished accommodation in McKee Barracks and Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin. There is no specific alternative proposal in regard to the property before my Department at present.
Would the Minister confirm if it is intended to sell the barracks and premises on the open market or to an outside agency and whether there are proposals to retain any or all of Collins Barracks within the remit of the Department or indeed any other Department?
First, we have appointed a firm of auctioneers to advise us generally on how to maximise the sale value of the property. We are making arrangements for the relocation of military units at present in Collins Barracks before the property can be offered for sale. We will then offer it for sale by public tender. It is hoped the property will be available with vacant possession, which is the only practical way in which to sell it, before the end of 1991.
Is it intended to retain any portion of the barracks within the Department? The Minister will be mindful of suggestions made previously that perhaps part of it could be used as a museum or archive for the Defence Forces or for other public uses.
A lot of this is tied up with what can and cannot be developed having regard to the corporation's preservation decrees. The inspection of the barracks was carried out by the Dublin Deputy Planning Officer last August. He met with officers of my Department and the whole rezoning proposals in regard to the barracks under the draft development plan for Dublin were discussed. It emerged that a considerable portion of the property was being proposed for preservation and protection, with a certain zoning for residential purposes. This matter is being examined by the Planning and Development Committee of Dublin Corporation as to what sort of broad mix of zoning is possible as between residents and otherwise. That is where the matter lies at the moment.
I hope the Minister and his Department will have the highest regard for the proposals of Dublin Corporation, which at present are merely in a draft plan. Irrespective of that, I take it the Minister has regard to the historical importance, and indeed architectural beauty, of the buildings, particularly in the main square, and that any disposal by his Department would be subject to regard being had for the preservation of those buildings?
I can assure the Deputy that we are pursuing this matter very vigorously. In the past few days a meeting was held between officials of my Department, the Director of the National Museum and the Chairman of the Office of Public Works with a view to exploring the possibility of utilisation by the National Museum of some of Collins Barracks for, perhaps, a folk museum. The architectural staff of the Office of Public Works were present at that meeting and An Taisce and the Military History Society have also been in touch. We are very concerned about our public obligations in this regard and we appreciate the fact that all the considerations referred to by the Deputy and other environmental considerations will be fully taken into account in regard to this matter.
