The Government on 15 July 1998 approved a programme of evacuation and sale of six barracks which were considered surplus to military requirements. This decision is part of the relocation, refurbishment and re-equipment of the Defence Forces as recommended in the Price Waterhouse report regarding the rationalisation of military installations generally.
It is expected that £50 million will be raised from the sale of the barracks. A total of 60 per cent of the proceeds will be invested in the redevelopment of other military installations and equipment. The balance will be used to meet the cost of compensation claims and for investment in the local communities where closures have taken place.
Following the Government decision, I had consultations with public and community representatives in each of the five locations in which barracks were subsequently evacuated. In addition to those initial meetings, my officials met councillors and officials of Kildare County Council in relation to Magee Barracks on 11 February 1999. I expect to meet representatives of the county council in the near future to discuss the matter further. The sale of the barracks will proceed as soon as is practicable.