asked the Minister for Defence the progress to date on the proposed building of a new Army headquarters.

I understand that the Office of Public Works are preparing to invite tenders for this project.

When does the Minister expect the building to commence?

I expect tenders to be sent out in the next few months and we will then have to wait for respective contractors to reply and sort out whatever problems they may have.

I should hope that the building would start this year.

If the building starts this year, can the Minister give any indication as to when it would be completed and can he confirm whether all sections of his Department will be relocated in the new headquarters?

I can confirm the second part of the question, but in relation to the first part the Deputy will be aware of the intricacies of building and of the delays that can occur. While this may be an off the top of the head expectation, I understand that what we are talking about in this instance is a three to four year building programme.