Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I note with interest some of the questions raised by the Deputy. He asked was my approach to this being dictated by military personnel. Of course, military personnel do not dictate to the Minister for Defence, but they have the expertise to give advice to the Minister for Defence as to what are the strategic necessities when it comes to barracks location and how to best maximise the capability of the Defence Forces. I take account and assess the accuracy of that advice, and give it serious consideration.

I was not aware that Deputy Boyd Barrett had any great expertise in matters of military strategy and, indeed, I would be interested if he had so that he might share it with me.

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