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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 2

Ceisteanna–Questions. Priority Questions. - Departmental Properties.

Michael Ferris

Question:

2 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Defence the position in relation to the sale of the houses at Orchard Park, The Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13168/99]

Legal advice in the matter has recently been received from the Chief State Solicitor and is at present under consideration. It is intended that officials of my Department will meet with the residents of Orchard Park in the near future to discuss the proposed sales.

I thank the Minister on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Wall. He wishes me to compliment the Minister on the efforts he has made to bring this project to fruition. I welcome the initiative he has announced that officials from his Department will meet the residents shortly. Will the Minister give a commitment to do everything in his power to resolve the legal obstacles which have been there for some time?

I expect we will be able to issue letters of offer to the residents within the next few weeks. The problem resided around the title, which was classified as a recorded monument under the National Monuments Act. One, therefore, does not have the same freedom in respect of freehold as one would have in other properties. We have been able to resolve that matter and I am anxious to proceed with the sale on the basis of the tenant purchase scheme and in consultation with Kildare County Council and the residents. We are very close to a resolution and I am happy to see it develop in this way. I will facilitate any further elements because we need to clear the matter up. Ownership is something to which people in Ireland have a great attachment. I would like to see the area beautified and improved, with the residents and the councils improving the surrounding infrastructure.

The Minister mentioned the tenant purchase scheme and co-operation with the council. Will the terms of the local authority tenant purchase scheme apply to the letters of offer to the tenants? Will credit be given for the length of time they have been in occupation and paying rent?

All the discounts available in the tenant purchase scheme are available in this scheme as they are both similar.

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