Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The situation has changed considerably, as Deputy Deenihan is aware. We will not discuss that matter now.

On negotiations, the Chief of Staff will tomorrow visit all of the barracks affected by the closures and speak with the relevant personnel by Friday at the latest. There is a compensation scheme for those who incur moving costs, including travel expenses and expenses associated with buying new houses and furniture, storing furniture and so on. It is a detailed scheme. The Army has held discussions with the representative associations, PDFORRA and RACO, concerning a number of claims that will be handled through the conciliation and arbitration process. I have undertaken to give a copy of the compensation scheme to Deputies Deenihan and O'Shea and I will send another to Deputy Crawford.

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