The company renting the 9 Beaches property in Sandys owes the Bermuda Government $2.283 million in rental arrears, according to Craig Cannonier, the Minister of Public Works.

A judgment ordering that the property be vacated was made on December 22, Mr Cannonier told the House of Assembly in response to questions from Progressive Labour Party MP Wayne Furbert.

The judgment was against the company IRC Sandys.

Mr Cannonier said the Bermuda Land Development Company was still seeking a payment schedule from IRC in tandem with the courts.

IRC last made a payment to the Government in 2008.

In response to questions from Marc Bean, Mr Cannonier acknowledged that one of the IRC principals is the chairman of the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

Vacating the site has also been complicated by the fact that “people are already up there paying rent”, the minister said, adding that there may be squatters on the land as well.