Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

No Defence Forces personnel will lose jobs because of the barracks closures. I presume people who deliver to a barracks supply other barracks and I presume, for example, food companies do business with other barracks. A barracks cannot be kept open just because there might be a few euro less in the community. I empathise with the business people in each of the towns where barracks closures will happen but none of the barracks closures in recent years led to the closure of local businesses. I do not believe that any business will go to the wall because of a barracks closure.

I stated clearly in my reply that compensation is available for Defence Forces personnel who have to move house and so on. During previous closures, a minimal number of people moved out of the towns in which they lived when they were reassigned to another barracks. They were able to commute on a daily basis to their new posting and they remained where they were. The new postings are within daily commuting distance.

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