Vol. 503 No. 2
58 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Defence the number of meetings he has had with local communities or local councils in relation to the sale of six barracks; the result of these negotiations; and when all the relevant land will be sold. [9429/99]
Following the Government decision of 15 July 1998 to dispose of six barracks considered surplus to military requirements, 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, I met with members of the Oireachtas and local councillors in relation to Castleblayney Barracks on 3 February and 3 March, 1999; local councillors and officials from Naas Urban District Council on 3 March and 10 March 1999 in relation to Devoy Barracks, Naas and my officials have met with councillors and officials of Kildare County Council on 11 February 1999 in relation to Magee Barracks, Kildare. Discussions also took place between my officials and officials of Cork County Council on 2 December, 1998 in relation to Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, and Murphy Barracks, Ballincollig.
Two of the barrack properties – Castleblayney and Fermoy – have already been offered for sale and a decision in relation to the offers received will be made shortly.
In relation to Devoy Barracks, Naas, a broad measure of agreement has been reached between the Department and Naas Urban District Council. The fine details are being dealt with and it is hoped to have an agreement concluded in the near future. A process of rezoning is required before the property can be offered for sale on the open market. It is anticipated that this process will take a number of months. As regards Magee Barracks, Kildare, I expect to meet with representatives of the county council in the near future to discuss the property in question. The sale of both barracks will take place as soon as is practicable.
In the case of Ballincollig, the largest of the properties concerned, tenders have been received from independent planning consultants for the preparation of an integrated action area plan for the future development of the property. An integral part of that plan will be to undertake a comprehensive public consultation process with all relevant community interests in the Ballincollig area. It is intended to appoint consultants in the near future. Following consideration and adoption of the integrated action area plan, the property will be offered for sale on the open market.
It will not be possible to evacuate Clancy Barracks in the short term but it will be disposed of following the transfer of the storage facilities which are located there to the Curragh Camp.
