Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I will provide the Deputy with the precise figure so that there will be no confusion. The Army did not ask anyone to occupy containers. The officers in question decided it would be better for them to be accommodated nearer to the college at which they are studying. They were informed that accommodation such as that available at Gormanstown or the Curragh would not be available and that they would be obliged to avail of the temporary accommodation on offer in the form of these containers. Those in question opted to occupy the containers. I did not ask them to do so, nor did I insist that they should do so. The Army was prepared to continue to transport them to college by bus, if that was what they desired.

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