James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me time to raise this important topical issue, namely, the need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a detailed breakdown of the projected savings to his Department arising from the announcement of the closure of Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath, which will be difficult to rationalise in light of the loss to the local economy, the disruption to Army personnel and their families and the elimination of an integral part of the culture and heritage of the town of Mullingar.

To make any sense of the closure of Columb Barracks, Mullingar it is necessary to be fully informed of the thinking behind it. I am aware that two issues have driven this decision - financial savings and the need to redeploy Army personnel. I ask the Minister, Deputy Shatter, if he can provide a detailed breakdown of the projected savings to be realised. It is necessary to equate those with the potential economic losses to the town of Mullingar and the devastation that will be caused to Army personnel and their wives, families and friends.

It is important to remember that the barracks has been an integral part of the community of Mullingar since 1814. The heritage and cultural aspects of such closures tend to be overlooked in the rush for financial savings but they are a vital part of the equation, and in many ways they are the key. As the barracks in Mullingar is listed as a historical site it cannot be sold on and will be left lying idle and allowed to fall into disrepair if an alternative use is not found.

I am very concerned about the provisions of such an alternative use for Columb Barracks. In this respect, the Minister has assured me that he is committed to expediting such a provision and I have every confidence in his word as he has already done his best to make provision in regard to Connolly Barracks, Longford. In fact, he more than met his commitment in terms of seeking an urgent reappraisal of the value of that site which would be very suitable as an educational facility or campus.

In terms of Columb Barracks, I am not convinced that the case of a financial saving has been proven. Not only is the demand for building land at an all-time low, but the site cannot be sold and therefore I presume the cost effectiveness of the decision relates solely to overheads such as salaries, maintenance etc.

While closing the barracks as an operational defence unit may be projected to make some savings the question is whether that will be enough overall to justify tearing the heart out of a rural town and impacting on the economic profile both in the short and long term. It has been argued that the personnel from the barracks will more than likely remain in the area but that can neither be guaranteed nor is it a complete justification.

That brings me to another point that is worrying me about the closure not only of Columb Barracks but of the 14 barracks that have closed throughout the country since 1998. The fact that the latest closures should be enforced before the publication of the Green Paper on the Defence Forces is of concern to me and to the people of Mullingar.

The Minister has assured this House that he believes the current strength of the Defence Forces should be maintained. That is reassuring given that some people are assuming the closure of these barracks will lead to a reduction in personnel. It is my belief that there could be a small increase in numbers and I would be grateful for clarification on that from the Minister.

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