Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have given numerous assurances concerning the number of personnel and units in Athlone. I have had no briefing or suggestion from anybody that there will be a disbanding of the unit in Athlone. From that point of view, therefore, I can give the Deputy an assurance - unless I get some briefing to the contrary in the next couple of days. However, I certainly have nothing to suggest that that would be the case.

The focus has been on trying to get through a conciliation process which is a fairly normal process within Defence Forces' structures. We had to go through that process with the 21-year soldier issue, which resulted in a reasonably good outcome for everybody, including a fair compromise. We need to get through this process also. I think RACO would be aware that there is a need to move on with this issue now. We are anxious to move on in order to get recruitment under way again. The sooner we can resolve the issues the better.

See this speech in context