asked the Minister for Defence if he is now in a position to state when the building of new married quarters at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin will begin and when it will be completed; and having regard to the disappointment and inconvenience caused by delays to date to soldiers and their families, if he will have all building works expedited.

29.

asked the Minister for Defence the accommodation that will be offered to tenants of the married quarters at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin who are required to vacate their present accommodation to facilitate demolition and redevelopment; if the temporary accommodation will be up to modern standards; and if such tenants will be given priority when the new accommodation is completed.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together.

As I informed the Deputy on 21 October 1980, in reply to a previous question, the firm with which a contract was placed by the National Building Agency Ltd., on behalf of my Department, for the construction of flats at the barracks, was then in receivership. Accordingly it was necessary to arrange for the placing of a contract with another firm. The National Building Agency Ltd., offered a contract to such a firm. As this firm sought a significant increase on its original tender price, it was decided to invite fresh tenders. The tenders are due on 6 February 1981, and I expect that it will be possible to place a contract soon afterwards. The contract will be for the construction of 12 flats and will provide that work should commence within seven days of the placing of the contract.

It is expected that the flats will be completed within a year of commencement of the work. The 12 dwellings will be the first phase of a programme for the replacement of the married quarters at the barracks. A clear site is available and accordingly the vacation of quarters pending the provision of the new dwellings will not arise.

Is the Minister conscious of the appalling damage to the morale of soldiers and their families in the quarters in question because promises made down through the years have not yet been fulfilled? Further, is he aware that, notwithstanding that he now says that the building will take place on a clear site, a number of families have been asked to move from their present accommodation to other accommodation in order to facilitate the demolition of buildings to enable construction to begin? It seems from the information which I and also the Minister have received, I am sure in good faith, that there is a conflict.

Because there is a clear site there is no question of families being asked to vacate existing sites. That is my information. I am not aware that what the Deputy has spoken about has happened.

I am glad to hear that. I know that there is a clear site and I was surprised that people had been asked to leave to facilitate demolition.

I am not aware of this, but I will have a look at it.

Thank you.

30.