Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I did not get a satisfactory reply to my questions. The Minister of State is being disingenuous when he says there will be no job losses because many people in Clonmel have chosen to pull out and give up their chosen career, which is valuable to them and to the State. Why was a decision taken to close Clonmel barracks? It is 83 km from Sarsfield Barracks with no motorway access whereas St. Stephen's Barracks in Kilkenny is 81 km from the Curragh and 67 km of the journey can be covered by motorway. The Minister of State contradicted himself by saying personnel can travel easily to their new barracks. There is a motorway between Kilkenny and the Curragh but there is 81 km of bad road, the N24, between Clonmel and Limerick.

My question also referred to the Defence Forces Reserve, which has a proud tradition of service all over the country, including in Clonmel and the surrounding district. Members of the reserve want reassurance that if they give up their time to serve the State, they will retain an operational area in Clonmel barracks where they can continue to train. The Minister of State might say it will not affect business. Of course it will affect business. This is a huge body blow to the spirit of the town of Clonmel. The barracks is part of the fabric of the town and has been there since the time Cromwell failed to close it down. It has resisted at all times. It is very involved in the community and throws its doors open to many community services, not to mention all the good work that is done during floods, snow storms, search and rescue operations and everything else. It is a huge psychological blow to the town and it is being resisted.

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