Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

I am afraid the Minister has avoided the central thrust of the question. Clearly, expenditure on improvements and capital projects in the Curragh for military purposes is one thing, with which I do not have a difficulty, but it does not, in any way, take from the very valid points I raised in the question. The heart of this issue is that a very narrow and I suppose neoliberal view has been taken of the Curragh Camp that it is to be stripped down and redeveloped for military purposes only. That is quite short-sighted.

There are numerous buildings in the facility which the Minister is planning to demolish in an act of social vandalism and of annihilating a key part of our State's history. Thousands of people have lived in the Curragh Camp for more than 100 years. There is a hospital and there are businesses and three schools there and life is becoming very difficult for the remaining people who are there. Is this whole phase of our history to be wiped out? I believe it could be developed.

There are many uses to which it could be put. For example, there are 8,000 Kildare County Council's housing waiting list. Many of these properties could be redeveloped at very little cost. We could engage in a public works programmes which would have valid community uses. I am well aware that is a project beyond the Department of Defence but somebody with vision and who cherishes Ireland's history and heritage would engage with that because these buildings are not beyond salvation. The time is running out on them and if they are destroyed on the Minister's watch, it will be a legacy of vandalism.

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