Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this important motion. I commend my party colleague, Deputy Dara Calleary, our justice and defence spokesperson, on putting this very comprehensive motion before the House. It quite rightly affirms and supports the critical role of the Permanent Defence Force throughout our country and in local communities. We note the substantial consolidation of barracks that has occurred over the past number of years.

See this speech in context