Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

This day week, the Army personnel in Mullingar will be walking through the town of Mullingar for the last time. The Minister of State has referred to the proposal to make Army barracks available to the community. Four years ago, Longford town barracks was closed and at this stage negotiations are still ongoing between the Department and the local authority. There is no funding available from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to the local authority which has been told it must come up with the funding itself. The only way to generate funding is from the local rate payers. Is this what will need to happen with regard to the barracks which are being closed before Christmas, that if the local rate payers wish to maintain ownership of their barracks they will be the ones who will have to pay? This should not happen. Unfortunately it has been decided that the barracks will be closed but the Department of Defence should engage with the local authorities and local groups in these towns to make the barracks available free of charge. These are the people's barracks and not the property of the State. The Reserve Defence Force has advertised for premises in an area where the barracks is to be closed in a week's time. Last night, the Reserve Defence Force in Mullingar met for the last time in Mullingar barracks and they do not know where they are going. I understand this is not the direct responsibility of the Minister of State but no premises has been sought for the Reserve Defence Force. The Department of Defence has shown little flexibility to allow the Reserve Defence Force to remain in the barracks at least until an alternative location is found. However, there is no need for an alternative location. The barracks should be given back to the local community and the Reserve Defence Force should be allowed carry out its good work.

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