Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)

I welcome the opportunity to speak briefly on this motion, particularly because it refers to Kickham Barracks, Clonmel, a barracks with which I obviously am very familiar. Looking across at the Labour Party benches, I note not a single Labour Party member is present in the Chamber. Regardless of their presence or otherwise, I remind Labour Party Ministers and Members that the Labour Party was founded in May 1912 in the town hall in Clonmel. A Labour Party Minister of State already proposes to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of that party in Clonmel with the closure of the town's acute psychiatric unit. Does the Labour Party in government now propose to celebrate that 100th anniversary by desecrating the names of Connolly and Larkin through the closure of Kickham Barracks, Clonmel, a barracks and a tradition that has been in the town since 1650? If Kickham Barracks has been closed by the time the Labour Party comes to celebrate its 100th anniversary in Clonmel next year, its members will get a very cold reception in the town, or perhaps it will be very hot. The Labour Party members in south Tipperary, as well as Labour Party Oireachtas Members and MEPs, should ensure Kickham Barracks, Clonmel is retained. They owe this to the people of Clonmel and south Tipperary.

The final point in the Government amendment to the motion states it "condemns mischievous attempts to exaggerate the impact of these necessary decisions and create unnecessary fears among local communities". That is choice, after a Minister of State talked of the closure of Mullingar barracks being crass stupidity and after a Government backbencher referred to the gloves being taken off. The closure of barracks in the country, in Clonmel in particular, would be a huge blow to soldiers and their families. It would be a huge blow to the town of Clonmel, as €4 million to €5 million per annum would be taken out of its local economy. It has been suggested there would be no job losses as a result of such closures. If one takes €4 million or €5 million out of the economy of Clonmel or any other town, be it Mullingar or Cavan or elsewhere, job losses will result. One cannot take such a sum out of a town's economy without experiencing job losses.

Members have heard many times in this debate that this is the fault of the previous Government. Perhaps that is the case but the present Government was elected on the basis that it would change all that. The Government parties made election promises and commitments to the people that what went on during the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government would change. It also has been suggested that these measures must be taken to achieve savings.

While someone on the Government benches mentioned patriotism, I have stated in this Chamber previously and reiterate now that it is time for some patriotism from the very wealthy people of Ireland. I note that 5% of the wealthy people in this country own €250 billion in assets but do not pay a ha'penny in wealth tax. Many European countries have a wealth tax and there has been debate in this regard in France recently. Moreover, some states in the United States also have a wealth tax. Why should Ireland not have a wealth tax to oblige those with huge incomes and who have huge assets pay their fair share?

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