Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

It is absolute waffle to state that, as of now, the Government cannot give any commitment. Where is the openness, honesty and transparency the Government promised the people? The people of Mullingar have been out of their minds with worry for the past two nights. Senior Army personnel visited this barracks on Monday and told people it would be closing in December. Who is fooling whom? We want and need answers.

The Minister of State noted that his Department has submitted its report as part of the process. Is Columb Barracks, Mullingar, included in the report? The Minister of State must be honest with the people and let them know where they stand. He should not hide behind the phrase "as of now". We do not want that. We want to know exactly what is happening. People's livelihoods are at stake here. People who are settled and living in Mullingar do not know where to send their children but must think about relocating and what the future holds for them. Let us be honest. The Minister of State must come up front and tell the truth.

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