Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

Surely, if PDFORRA asked to meet shortly after the announcement of the closure of barracks, the Minister could have arranged a date to meet by now. PDFORRA is concerned about the welfare of its members and the disruption of family life involved for 650 people who will be moving to different locations and workplaces. This will involve changing schools in some cases. In many cases it will involve travelling long distances to work because people cannot source alternative accommodation. In 2004 an announcement was made about the decentralisation of the Department of Defence and the defence headquarters to the Curragh. It still has not happened. The Minister expects these people to move from four barracks in the space of 14 weeks. That time lead-in is not adequate in view of the disruption involved, which has manifested itself outside this House and continues to do so in the counties affected, including some of the Minister's people.

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