Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

Since the foundation of the State, Fine Gael has been dedicated to the Defence Forces and our commitment will remain. As someone who comes from a garrison town, I am proud of the Defence Forces. I know first hand the contribution our personnel make to communities at local, national and international levels and their conduct as ambassadors abroad is second to none.

Last week, I visited soldiers from Athlone and Mullingar deployed with the UN in Lebanon. I attended a medal parade for the 104th Irish battalion at Camp Shamrock in Tibnin. The soldiers are drawn from the fourth western brigade and the Defence Forces training centre in the Curragh and are under the command of Lt. Col. Frank Bolger. They arrived in Lebanon in May 2011 and will rotate out at the end of November. I thank Lt. Col. Bolger for his kind invitation to attend the medal parade and the opportunity to visit the men and women who do us so proud. Morale was extremely high and they appreciate all the support they receive from their friends and family in Ireland.

Approximately 195 personnel, including officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees, are stationed in Columb Barracks. The barracks houses the fourth field artillery regiment, which is an element of the fourth western brigade and the last artillery regiment in the State.

The primary objective for any barracks reorganisation or personnel redeployment is the efficient and effective delivery of military capabilities. The Government has not yet made a decision on the future of Columb Barracks.

The strength of the Permanent Defence Force has been reduced to the level of the 1970s due to the austerity measures initiated by the previous Government. Fianna Fáil Deputies appear to have forgotten the deadly legacy they left for this country. This conversation would not be taking place but for the actions required of us by the EU and the IMF. Nobody on the Opposition benches proposed constructive measures to improve our current situation. Fianna Fáil sold off our economic sovereignty and now it is irresponsibly introducing this Private Members' motion. This is a legacy issue which arose during the term of the previous Government. The EU-IMF deal requires the State to achieve a budget deficit of 8.6% next year. This will involve cuts of at least €3.6 billion in the next budget, including up to €30 million in cuts from the Department of Defence.

Any action the Government takes is based on the ultimate objective of restoring our economic sovereignty and ensuring our future financial independence. I support the Minister for Defence in his aims of concentrating our investments in areas of the Defence Forces which are important to its operational and overseas capabilities and ensuring it is properly equipped and trained. I do not want to see a reduction in the strength of the Defence Forces below the current level of 9,559 personnel but we must consider every option for effecting savings and using our resources wisely. I want to see further recruitment in the future. Nobody wants to see barracks closures and I have every faith that the Minister's decisions will be based on securing the long-term future of the Defence Forces. I fear, however, that we may spread our resources too thinly with the result that equipment and training will be insufficient to the tasks required from the members of the Defence Forces. We must prioritise our resources.

See this speech in context