Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

As the Minister is aware, those in the Army will do what the Minister asks of them. In that context, if young officers such as those to whom I refer are asked to live in containers, they will do so. The figures I possess do not indicate that €1.6 million would be required to complete the refurbishment of C house, or an adequate portion of it, to enable the officers in question to be accommodated there. It struck me that C house could be refurbished for a considerably smaller sum of money.

What was the exact cost of providing the containers? It is amazing that the Minister does not have the figures in that regard to hand. In the review of accommodation at barracks nationwide, I hope special priority will be given to removing the containers at Cathal Brugha Barracks as soon as possible. In my view, these containers are an embarrassment to the Defence Forces.

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