Pat Carey
Question:169 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Defence the location of the Dublin Civil Defence section after the move by the main Civil Defence headquarters to Roscrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3403/02]
Written Answers. - Civil Defence.
Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Mr. Brennan)
Dublin Civil Defence on behalf of Dublin City Council has been in occupation of the property on the Esplanade, Wolfe Tone Quay, Dublin 7, since January 1995. The city council currently holds the property under a year to year licence agreement dated 3 February 2000 between the Minister for Defence and Dublin City Council for use as temporary accommodation. Under the terms of the licence either side can terminate the agreement by giving three months written notice.
The Commissioners of Public Works, on behalf of the Minister for Finance in whom the property is vested, have indicated that the site occupied by Dublin Civil Defence under the licence agreement is intended for development by the National Museum to extend their vehicle parking facilities. The commissioners have requested vacant possession of the property by the end of June 2002 in order to proceed with this development.
The Department understands that Dublin Civil Defence has been looking at sites within the Dublin area that might be suitable for use as a headquarters but to date no suitable location has been identified. While the question of alternative accommodation is a matter for Dublin City Council, the Department will endeavour to assist it in that regard by requesting the Commissioners of Public Works to bear the needs of Dublin Civil Defence in mind before the development of the Esplanade property proceeds.
With regard to Ratra House, Phoenix Park, the current headquarters of the Civil Defence branch of this Department and which is also vested in the Minister for Finance, it has already been decided that, following the decentralisation of the branch to Roscrea, the property will be taken over by the Office of the President for its Gaisce awards scheme.