Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
171. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if licence arrangements have been put in place to accommodate all community groups that have been utilising Columb Barracks over the past number of years. [36573/23]
View answerThe majority of current occupiers of Columb Barracks are there without the express legal permission of the Department of Defence. In October 2018, the Department wrote to all occupiers of Columb Barracks, informing them of the need to vacate the premises having regard to the eventual transfer of the property to the Land Development Agency (LDA), whilst also making provision for groups to have access to the barracks as required.
The Department of Defence has had proactive engagements with the Land Development Agency (LDA), following confirmation of its interest in acquiring the former Columb Barracks in Mullingar for the development of housing provision. To that end, I am advised that the LDA, who will be the eventual owners of the premises, have concluded extensive public consultations as to the future usage of the premises. In that light, it is considered more appropriate that such matters are addressed when the site is formally transferred to that Authority.
