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

I welcome the Minister's reply. The works he identified were needed and I welcome the fact that they have been carried out. Between 2000 and 2005, the level of investment in the Curragh camp - €64 million - was quite enormous. Between 1997 and 2009, something of the order of €400 million was invested in equipment, resources and infrastructure for the Defence Forces. The Minister will be aware that the sale of barracks was, to a very large extent, a contributory factor in facilitating that level of investment. There will be a need for continuing investment in the Defence Forces into the future. I would like to see evidence to the effect that the Minister has a particular vision in this regard. The next question, in Deputy Clare Daly's name, relates to housing at the Curragh. On a recent visit to the camp - I thank the Minister for facilitating it - I was again struck by the level of dereliction which still exists there and the number of houses that are boarded up. In the context of the operational capability of the Defence Forces, there is a need for continued investment. It is the responsibility of the Minister to bring forward a plan in respect of this matter.

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