Vol. 336 No. 5
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of any recent meetings he has had to discuss the problems of Army overholders; the steps it is proposed to take in the matter; and if he will give a special grant to local authorities for this purpose.
900.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he has had any discussions regarding the provision of a grant by the Department of Defence to local authorities to enable them to tackle the problem of "overholders" in Army barracks or to discuss any other proposal to eliminate this problem; and if he will give details.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 899 and 900 together. I have had discussions recently with the Minister for Defence regarding the problem of overholders. The Minister for Defence has suggested that an interdepartmental committee be established consisting of representatives from my Department and the Departments of Defence and Finance to examine the problem. I am agreeable to this and have nominated a senior official of my Department to participate in the work of the committee.
