Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Does the Minister accept that retaining the three brigade structure would have allowed the Army to retain the structural architecture to expand in times of crisis and need, retain operational situational awareness in critical parts along the Border with Northern Ireland and, critically, retain operational command and control structures close to where operational outputs were being delivered? I put it to him that to suggest operational oversight of Permanent Defence Force and Reserve units in County Donegal can be managed effectively from Rathmines is not credible. I would go so far as to say it indicates a level of recklessness in terms of State security. It is equally not credible to suggest units in Galway can be overseen from Cork. These are just two of the problems that can be identified. We engaged with the Minister here and had discussions on previous parliamentary questions about other operational difficulties faced by members of the Defence Forces as a result of the decisions taken by him.

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