Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In case we do not get to another round of questions, the Minister mentioned the capital plan for the Curragh and expenditure that will be incurred by the Department over a period of time. I assume that responsibility for expenditure under the capital plan would not be confined to the Department of Defence but that this is an important national programme. I would envisage a role, perhaps under the town and village renewal scheme, for other Departments and I would see the Office of Public Works, OPW, being involved. If we are going to be realistic about a national plan and a regeneration of the physical structure of the Curragh, it would not be either reasonable or fair for that to fall under the budget of the Department of Defence.

I refer to Covid-19 and the current role and function of the Defence Forces. In the area of contact tracing, earlier in the year there appeared to be active engagement. Is that still in operation? I also recall that during the summer, mention was made of a role for the Defence Forces assisting with the HSE in the matter of private nursing homes in terms of deep cleaning and ensuring that every effort is being made by way of a national resolution to combat this issue. How would the Minister see a further active role for the Defence Forces, particularly now as we move into a new and fresh level of restrictions?