James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

How can we believe the Minister today when he came down to the people of Longford two weeks before the election and in the presence of local Deputy, Peter Kelly, pledged that Longford barracks would not close on his watch? With the demand for building land at an all-time low it makes no economic sense to close Longford barracks. Does the Minister understand the trauma and hurt caused to the wives, partners and children of army personnel who served in Longford?

See this speech in context