Vol. 523 No. 1
350 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will give a progress report on the repositioning of the perimeter wall at Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath, along Ashe Road; if his attention has been drawn to the urgency of having this work done to improve sight lines for local traffic at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20593/00]
On 25 July 1997 the Department dedicated a strip of land measuring about half an acre at Columb Barracks to Westmeath County Council for road widening purposes. As part of the agreement, the council undertook to rebuild part of the barrack boundary wall on a shared cost basis. The deed of dedication between the Department and the council provided for financial arrangements on a pro-rata basis on completion of the works by the council.
I am now informed that Westmeath County Council has briefed a consulting engineer to prepare a contract for the refurbishment of the wall at Columb Barracks and contract documents are in the process of being completed, with a view to inviting tenders for the necessary works. The local authority hopes to be in a position to invite these tenders in the next two months.
My officials will continue to liaise with the council in the matter as and when necessary.
