Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Moreover, as has been pointed out in many independent reports on the Defence Forces, the primary driver for barrack organisation and personnel deployment is the efficient and effective delivery of military capabilities.

As the Minister for Defence has said in response to many questions in the House, Defence Forces properties are kept under constant review in terms of addressing Defence Forces requirements and ensuring its most appropriate organisation, taking account of operational requirements.

The current plan has been put together in close consultation and co-operation with the Defence Forces general staff. It provides an overall package that will serve the needs of the Defence Forces into the future. The development and increased capability of the modern Defence Forces, when taken together with the improved security situation along the Border, has removed the rationale for having seven Border barracks and posts and provided this opportunity for consolidation of units in a smaller number of locations.

Connolly Barracks, Longford, consists of 14 acres of land in the centre of the town and has 130 military personnel and eight civilian personnel. The barrack was reopened specifically to provide for the requirement for Border security duties due to the Northern situation.

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