Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

The Minister of State's reply is extremely disappointing, to say the least. I suppose he drew the short straw because he has had to give such devastating news to the House. There are 1,400 plus soldiers attached to Custume Barracks in Athlone, when one includes personnel serving overseas, yet the ceiling will be 1,000 according to the Minister of State. A calculator is not required to work out that there will be 400 fewer soldiers initially. It is the first time in the history of the State that there will not be a Commander-General there. A minimum of 400 soldiers will be moving from Athlone, which will result in a loss of €20 million to the local economy.

The Green Paper review is a total sham. The Government is reforming the Defence Forces in isolation and on a piecemeal basis. The review, which was part of the programme for Government, is a sham. What has this Government got against Westmeath? It closed Columb Barracks in Mullingar and is now downgrading Custume Barracks in Athlone. The Minister of State said the numbers went up in Athlone in the past 12 months, but that happened because barracks were closed in Mullingar and Cavan. What has the Government got against Westmeath?

As part of its consultation process, the Government should confirm that the west will be losing the Western Brigade headquarter status, which is in the Taoiseach's own area. What does the Taoiseach have to say about that?

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