The Deputy will have to understand that no politician, Minister or otherwise, can stand up without prior notice and say how St. Bricin's Hospital is utilised and the number of patients there. I could say it has 50 patients while the Deputy could say it has 100. I do not know the number of patients but we can find out. Presumably if the Eastern Health Board wanted assistance from the Department of Defence it would seek it. The Eastern Health Board is responsible for the provision of beds for long stay patients. Surely the Deputy does not expect the Department of Defence to approach the Eastern Health Board and ask how matters are progressing and what it can do to help it. Surely the Eastern Health Board would approach the Department. In reply to the Deputy's question I said:
In accordance with Government policy any military property outside of barracks which is surplus to requirements and which is not required for other State purposes is offered for sale.
If there are particular premises which are required by other State agencies for State purposes we will certainly consider them.