Vol. 503 No. 2
7 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, which has been made in the disposal of Magee Barracks, Kildare; the uses planned for the site and buildings; the financial or other contribution which will be made from the proceeds of the disposal towards local development initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9199/99]
The Government on 15 July 1998 approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks which were considered surplus to military requirements. This decision is part of the relocation, refurbishment and re-equipment of the Defence Forces as recommended in the Price Waterhouse report regarding the rationalisation of military installations generally.
It is expected that £50 million will be raised from the sale of the barracks. A total of 60 per cent of the proceeds will be invested in the redevelopment of other military installations and equipment. The balance will be used to meet the cost of compensation claims and for investment in the local communities where closures have taken place.
Following the Government decision, I had consultations with public and community representatives in each of the five locations in which barracks were subsequently evacuated. In addition to those initial meetings, my officials met councillors and officials of Kildare County Council in relation to Magee Barracks on 11 February 1999. I expect to meet representatives of the county council in the near future to discuss the matter further. The sale of the barracks will proceed as soon as is practicable.
Has any proposal been made to the Minister regarding the location of a military museum in Magee Barracks?
A tentative proposal was made, but I understand it did not find favour. We are still engaged in local consultations and are anxious to conclude work with the local authority on the lay-out and development of the site to enhance Kildare town. Once this work is completed, I will outline what will happen on the site. I do not want to limit the horizons for the people of the town but I understand the proposal did not find favour because proposals had already been made to develop a museum on another site. In addition, as the Deputy is aware, significant investment is being made in Collins Barracks in Dublin.
What does the Minister mean that a tentative proposal did not find favour? With whom did it not find favour?
There are a number of considerations on the table. Collins Barracks is developed but it needs further development. In addition, another site is under consideration. In Kildare, we are trying to reach a conclusion with local community and local authority interests on the sale of the site. I will not be involved in what happens on the site after this process is completed. The Deputy and others will probably be more involved than me in what happens on the site. The other proposals relate to existing sites and premises that are within the Department's domain.
Does the Minister agree there is not enough room in Collins Barracks to mount an adequate display on military history, artefacts or weaponry?
That is the case but another centre in the Curragh is close to Kildare. I am ensuring that substantial investment is made in upgrading the building to make it a significant national and international centre. This may be a better option in terms of space. The Deputy is concerned about this aspect and he will find much open space there.
Do the general staff agree with the Minister?
Are the Minister and the Department committed to the development of a military museum which would be open to the public and include displays of some of the material which is currently in Collins Barracks relating to the history of the Defence Forces and military artefacts?
Many people find military history extremely interesting and much material needs to be better documented and presented. I have an open mind on this area and I support the development of this aspect of military activities. I do not want to go into that in the context of existing sites over which I have no control.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the value for money examination of defence property, which we received today, referred to the closure of the six barracks but it also mentions that, due to the rationalisation in the Defence Forces, many of the properties are surplus to requirements. Will the Minister comment on this? Does he intend to sell off any more property?
In the report it is mentioned that there was an allocation of £10.5 million in 1997 for engineering works and only £3.8 million was utilised due to the shortage of engineering officers and the diversion of engineering officers to administrative work. Will the Minister comment on this?
This question deals with a specific barracks, not barracks in general.
I do not wish to interfere with the work of the Ceann Comhairle but he will be aware that Deputy Timmins consistently breaks the rules and gets away with it.
We are under pressure on some flanks in relation to the corps of engineers. In order to proceed with the refurbishment and redevelopment programmes in a number of the centres we are engaging outside consultants to support our in-house expertise.
As far as the surplus is concerned, it is well known that we still have properties which are surplus to requirements. In the context of properties outside of the barracks, there are individual properties which we will be able to sell which do not involve the closure of barracks. I said before that I had done my stint in trying to make changes in this area and that is as far as I will go at this stage. If the Deputy has any suggestions and can secure the agreement of his Front Bench spokesperson to give me the list, I will look at it.
