Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 7

Written Questions. - Sale of Army Property.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

9 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence if his Department is proceeding with negotiations with a developer for the sale of Sluagh Hall, Drogheda, County Louth, the headquarters of B-Coy 8 Infantry Battalion FCA; if it is proposed to transfer the company headquarters and staff to Gormanston camp; the discussions, if any, which have taken place with the relevant commanding officers regarding training and transport provisions; if the developer indicated his intentions to demolish the building; if so, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this will require a material contravention motion of the Drogheda Corporation under the development plan; if his attention has been drawn to the major role that this company has played in the Border area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16190/95]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Barrett)

A proposal recently received in relation to Sluagh Hall, Drogheda, is still under consideration in my Department in consultation with the relevant military authorities.

In reaching a decision in the matter account will be taken of the requirements to provide a satisfactory headquarters and training facility for B Company 8th Infantry Battalion FCA in Drogheda. There are no proposals to transfer this FCA unit to Gormanston.

Should it be decided to dispose of the Sluagh Hall, the future use to which it is put, including the question of whether it would be demolished, would be a matter for the purchaser.