David Stanton
Question:65 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the action he has taken to expand the naval base at Haulbowline, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17793/09]
View answerWednesday, 6 May 2009
Questions (10)
Oral answers (5 contributions)
Haulbowline Island comprises approximately 84 acres. The property is vested in the Minister for Finance. The Naval Service currently occupies approximately 40 acres and these lands are administered by my Department. The balance of the island lands were formerly under lease to Irish Ispat, formerly Irish Steel, prior to the liquidation of that company.
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has lead responsibility for the remediation of the Ispat site while the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has responsibility for the future use of the area of Haulbowline Island that is not part of the naval base. My Department has signalled Naval Service interest in the future use of the site to both Departments. The Naval Service interest in the site relates primarily to meeting the berthage needs of the naval fleet. The Naval Service has also expressed interest in acquiring part of the former Ispat site to consolidate the existing naval base while also providing better access.
My Department is also represented on the working group, under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, concerning the future of the former Ispat site and will make its requirements known when this group meets.
I thank the Minister for that response. How soon does the Minister envisage the Naval Service and his Department taking over a part of the island for berthing purposes? Will he agree it is essential that expanded berthing facilities be made available because there is not enough room for the naval ships, which is causing a difficulty; that the solution lies there and that it would not take much to expand now? Has he had discussions with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on this matter? Would he exploit this position?
I agree we need more territory. Deputy Stanton is correct about that. We have expressed our interest in acquiring more for the reasons he stated. I understand this matter will shortly become live when the working group under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment meets. I understand it is about to be established and we will be represented on that working group. The sooner that working group meets, the better from our point of view. We have a great interest in expanding somewhat in that location for the reasons the Deputy stated.
Can the Minister give a timescale for that? Are we talking about weeks, months or years before a decision is made on this matter?
It certainly will not be years. I am informed it will be very shortly. I will try to get a more precise timescale for the Deputy.