Jack Wall
Question:167 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the zoning applicable to lands at Ballincollig military barracks which his Department is offering for sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4203/99]
Written Answers. - Departmental Properties.
The lands at the former Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig, currently have no specific zoning status.
Under a proposed draft variation of the Cork county development plan 1996 published recently, the relevant planning authority – Cork County Council – proposes that an integrated area action plan, including provision for commercial, residential and employment uses, should be drawn up in relation to future development of the barracks property. That integrated plan will be subject to formal adoption by the council in advance of the authority considering relevant individual planning applications. My Department has recently advertised a tender competition to appoint independent planning consultants to draw up the requisite integrated area action plan.
Jack Wall
Question:168 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the precautions, if any, he has made to prevent overgrazing on the Curragh plains; the efforts, if any, made to prevent incursions on the plains by four wheel drives and trucks collecting or releasing sheep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4204/99]
I am fully committed to the enforcement of the Curragh by-laws and arrangements are currently being put in place to ensure that persistent offenders are prosecuted. On 27 July 1998 the Government approved the appointment of an interdepartmental task force to report and make recommendations on the future management and development of the Curragh of Kildare, including legislative requirements, having regard to the immense archaeological, cultural, environmental and historical significance of the area. The task force is required to furnish its report by 31 March 1999.