During a recent Dáil Debate, Deputy David Stanton of Cork East constituency questioned the Minister for Defence – Willie O’Dea - on progress relating to the future use of the former ISPAT site at Haulbowline. In his reply, Deputy O’Dea stated that the Department of Defence has signalled Naval Service interest in the future use of the site to other relevant Departments; this primarily relates to meeting the berthage needs of the INS fleet, and improved access. The Minister went on to explain that the property is vested in the Minister for Finance, while the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has lead responsibility for the remediation of the ISPAT site, and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has responsibility for the future use of the area of Haulbowline Island that is not part of the Naval Base. A working group is soon to be established under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, concerning the future of the former ISPAT site and will make its requirements known when this group meets; this meeting is expected to occur very shortly in the future.