Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I compliment the Minister on his trip to the Lebanon to meet our forces there. I understand that this morning a new batch of troops was in training in the Glen of Imaal this morning. We wish them well.

Has the Minister received a report on consolidation of barracks from the military authorities? If so, will he publish it before making a decision? On the Minister's comment in regard to the uncertainty around this issue, that uncertainty is not being introduced by Members of this House but by military authorities who are visiting the barracks and giving indications in regard to their future. We have presented several opportunities in the House for the Minister or representatives of his Department to demonstrate how much will be saved from a further consolidation programme in the context of a property market in which Government will be unable to sell the properties, the considerable amount it will cost to protect the barracks it proposed to consolidate or close and the extra money by way of allowances and cost of movement. No one from the Minister's Department has taken the opportunity to demonstrate to us what savings, if any, will be made.

I compliment the Minister on his meeting last Thursday with the groups from Cavan, Mullingar and Clonmel. Arising out of that meeting, was any information given to the Minister by the military authorities or local groups which the Minister is now prepared to use in assessing the reports before him?

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