Latest on Columb Barracks

Minister Alan Shatter has told Deputy Nicky McFadden in the Dáil that any proposal for Columb Barracks that involves long-term administering of multiple leases and fulfilling the responsibilities of a landlord cannot be accepted.

Deputy McFadden had submitted this query for a written answer:
To ask the Minister for Defence if any arrangement for the future use of Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath has been agreed upon; the options that may be available to organisations who wish to express interest in using the premises.

This is the reply she received, on Tuesday May 7:
Minister for Defence (Mr Alan Shatter TD,) Since the announcement of the government decision on barrack closures my department has written to each government department, various agencies and local authorities seeking expressions of interest in acquiring any of the properties including Columb Barracks to benefit the local community as a whole but with particular emphasis on job creation measures. Whilst some discussion has taken place in relation to Mullingar Barracks no substantial progress has been made towards achieving a sale to date.

I would of course be happy to discuss with any interested group proposals they may have for the use and development of the site for the benefit of the local community. However any proposal involving the long-term administering of multiple leases and fulfilling the many responsibilities of a landlord cannot be accepted given the current resources available in my department.