Written question asked by Mark Durkan (Social Democratic & Labour Party) on Tuesday, 14 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 February 2006. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 March 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Lisanelly Barracks

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Government have to consult with the community and stakeholders in Omagh about the future of the Lisanelly Barracks site in Omagh.

Answer: The hon. Gentleman will be aware that, subject to the maintenance of an enabling environment, Lisanelly Barracks will close no later than 1 August 2007 as part of the revised Normalisation Programme.Arrangements exist through the Northern Ireland Administration (NIA) to ensure that the MOD is aware of all public sector interest in their sites as they become available. Lisanelly Barracks is freehold and MOD will offer the site at market value to the NIA for first refusal. If it is not required by the NIA, the site will be offered for sale to the wider public sector through a Clearing House, run by the Valuation and Lands Agency, again at market value. If no interest is expressed through these routes the site may, depending on the circumstances, be offered to the former owner. Only after that process would the site be advertised and sold on the open market.At this stage it is too early to predict what consultation will take place on the site's future.

Secondary information