Vol. 438 No. 4
161 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he was ever approached by Tralee Urban Council, County Kerry, or by any other statutory organisation or individual to have the Office of Public Works take into their possession Agriculture House, Oakpark, Tralee, County Kerry, which is also known as the novitiate to restore and develop it as a heritage facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Representations were made to me by Tralee Urban Council, by public representatives and by groups in the area to have the building at Oakpark, Tralee retained in public ownership.
As outlined in reply to a parliamentary question on 27 October 1993, the building, the property of Teagasc, was too big for that organisation's requirements. Accordingly Teagasc placed it on the property market. I pointed out also in the reply that the disposal of assets surplus to requirements is essential in order to ensure that Teagasc operate in a cost effective manner. In common with all public bodies. Teagasc must ensure that the sale of assets realises the market value. The sale of the building in question was recently completed.
