Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We fully understand that funding is scarce but that should not prevent the Minister from looking at the best option for the State. We were in the Curragh Camp two weeks ago looking at the properties and many of the old red brick houses - the married quarters - were very well built. Good brick, slate, cast iron fittings and hardwood timber was used in them. However, much of the repair work was poor and cheap materials were used, including cheap PVC and white deal, which is not suited to Irish weather, and they give the properties a bad look. The houses could be renovated in a sensible way and it would be worth it given what they would cost to renovate.

There is a shortage of alternative housing, which is a serious problem. As Deputy Daly said, there are 8,000 on Kildare County Council's housing list. I know the Minister said it should be a military facility only but the community is involved in the place also. There are three schools there which run successfully and people from outside the camp are involved in them. It would be a good investment on the part of the State. I do not know if the Minister has looked at a cost benefit analysis of the alternatives if the State does not look after these houses.

See this speech in context