The Government expects to make up to €50 million from the sale of six barracks considered surplus to military requirements, the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, said.

The money will be used primarily for re-equipment and refurbishment within the Defence Forces, he added.

The barracks are in Fermoy, Ballincollig, Naas, Kildare, Castle blayney and Dublin. Clancy Barracks in Dublin will be evacuated this year, while the other five have already been vacated, Mr Smith said.

He said he had decided to dispose of Fitzgerald Camp, Fermoy, to Cork County Council for €767,000. The council intends to develop the site in conjunction with the IDA. "The land will be developed and marketed as a strategic industrial site to attract inward investment. The develop ment will greatly assist in the continuing revitalisation of Fermoy and will enhance its potential for future industrial development," he said.

Regarding the future development of Ballincollig Barracks, Mr Smith said consultants were drawing up an integrated action area plan following a period of public consultation.

He said agreement had been reached between his Department and Naas Urban District Council on the transfer of part of the property of Devoy Barracks to the council for local purposes.

The rest of the property has been rezoned for housing in line with the development plan for Naas UDC, he said. Fourteen tenders had been received for this property and were being examined.

Mr Smith said he did not intend to close any other barracks.