Austin Currie
Ceist:137 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Defence the medium and long-term proposals he has for the development of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15613/01]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Property.
Casement Aerodrome is the principal base of the Air Corps. With the withdrawal of aircraft from Gormanston and the relocation of Air Corps headquarters to Baldonnell as outlined in the White Paper on Defence, the Air Corps has the basis for better management of its resources. Baldonnel will continue to be the centre of military aviation in Ireland. I have no plans at present for other developments at the aerodrome. I will, however, keep the matter under review to determine whether greater use might be made of this important resource. I might add that the question of establishing facilities for civil aviation purposes is primarily a matter for the Minister for Public Enterprise.
In the past three years there has been a capital investment in excess of £7.5 million in Casement Aerodrome. There are ongoing projects to the value of over £1 million. A design team has been appointed for the construction of a new headquarters for the third support wing which has an estimated cost of £2.3 million, with construction expected to commence in September 2001.