As part of the announcement of normalisation made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 1 August 2005, we undertook to reduce the number of military bases in Northern Ireland to the 14 core sites named in the Security Annexe of the Joint Declaration. We have since reported that we will in future only require 10 of those 14 core sites.

Since 1 August 2005 we have successfully undertaken a major programme of work to remove 37 years worth of military infrastructure. At one time there were 106 military sites in Northern Ireland and even at the beginning of the security normalisation period less than two years ago there were 44 sites.

The departure of troops from Bessbrook Mill today marks a key step in the delivery of tranche 3 of Security Normalisation as set out in the revised Annexe to the Joint Declaration on 1 August 2005. Of the other sites to be closed in this tranche, the observation posts at the Police Service of Northern Ireland Rosemount and Masonic Base in Londonderry have already been vacated and, in the case of Masonic Base, handed to Defence Estates for return to the landowners. We are on schedule to vacate Harmony House, Lisburn; Drumadd Barracks, Armagh; and Lisanelly Barracks, Omagh by 31 July 2007. This will mark the completion of the work set out in the Joint Declaration with the exception of Moscow Camp, Belfast, which will be vacated by the end of the year. Following my statements of 10 May 2006, Official Report, column 20-21WS, and 12 October 2006, Official Report, column 34WS, work to vacate St Lucia Barracks, Omagh; and to close Laurel Hill House, Coleraine is expected to be completed by 31 July 2007; and plans to close St Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena by 31 March 2008 and Shackleton Barracks, Ballykelly in April 2008 remain on schedule.