§ Mr. O'Halloranasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the Armed Forces to vacate the Gaelic athletic sports ground at Crossmaglen, County Armagh; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MasonTwo small portions of land will be returned to the Gaelic Athletic Association as soon as current reconstruction work on the security force base as Crossmaglen has been completed. The security forces cannot at present give up the rest of the land requisitioned from the GAA, but it will be returned as soon as the security situation permits. This land represents only about 6 per cent. of the area of the ground, and is on its edge. The recent realignment of existing facilities has been planned so as to interfere as little as possible with sporting activities on the ground and I hope that the club will seek to develop the kind of constructive relationship with the 343W Department of Education currently enjoyed by the other GAA clubs in Northern Ireland.