Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
490. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Army has pulled out of selling a house at a location (details supplied) to the tenant despite having agreed to the sale on three different occasions. [15338/20]
View answer492. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Defence the plans of the Army for the 12 houses situated at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15340/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 492 together.
I am advised that my Department was not in a position to dispose of the properties referred to because of legal difficulties in relation to the site.
After taking all matters into consideration, and based on the legal advices, my Department had no alternative but to withdraw from the offer of sale. Those who were offered the opportunity to purchase were informed in writing, through their legal advisers, of the sale withdrawal in November 2018. As part of this communication, my Department indicated its intention to regularise the current occupancy of those effected. A draft licence was issued through legal representatives for their agreement. This matter is ongoing and is the subject of continued legal correspondence.
My Department seeks to continue to regularise Overholding matters without recourse to legal action where possible. The provision of housing for members of the public is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and my Department assists in any way it can in support of such applications for assistance, when requested to do so.
In the circumstances, the Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to comment further.
