Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

We have dealt with this issue on many occasions. The main objective of barracks closures is to release personnel for operational duties. Closures are needed to relieve the Defence Forces of the burden of manning and securing the barracks which are to be closed and maximise the proportion of personnel who can be released for front-line duties. The strength of the Army has been cut to its 1970 level and there is an urgent need to maximise efficiency to mitigate the effects of the reduction.

Releasing personnel for operational duties requires that the number of barracks be minimised. Major efficiencies in manpower usage result. Significant opportunities for increased efficiencies will arise in terms of the elimination of duplication, involving personnel engaged in security duties within the barracks, those working in administrative roles and in providing backup services such as maintenance and catering. The closures will also yield savings in the defence Vote on utilities, security duty allowances and maintenance. Apart from the savings arising from the closure of barracks, the transfer of personnel also gives rise to savings and efficiencies in the receiving barracks.

We are living in a very difficult time financially and the Government is obliged to reduce its expenditure. The Defence Forces are substantially reduced in terms of numbers from a number of years ago. As Minister, I had choices to make. Either we reduced expenditure on barracks that no longer offered any operational benefit and maintained the strength of the Defence Forces at 9,500 or we kept barracks that were not required open and ended up with Defence Forces personnel numbering between 8,000 and 8,500. I chose to maintain the strength of the Defence Forces to ensure Defence Forces personnel would be able to maximise their operational activities. The decision is not only in the interests of the Defence Forces but also in the public interest.

Individuals who have a different view must identify where we can find an additional supply of money. The State is dependent on funding provided by the European Union and the IMF because we are spending €16 billion to €18 billion more per annum than we receive in income. This was the contribution that could be made in the defence area to reduce expenditure in circumstances in which no job would be lost by anybody employed in the Defence Forces.

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