Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has effectively conceded that, four years after the closure of Columb Barracks, he does not have a plan for the site. The current approach is unco-ordinated and disjointed and reflects a wait and see attitude. The Minister is correct that the barracks are being used by a number of community groups. Many of these groups do not know what the future holds for them. The GAA has sought a longer term lease for some time but the matter remains unresolved.

What is most amazing is that the Department has written to various State agencies asking if they have any interest in the barracks while, at the same time, paying €30,000 per annum for a private facility for the Reserve Defence Force. Would it not be feasible to use this €30,000 for the purposes of maintaining and managing the facility to ensure it is fully utilised?

My party made a proposal in our review of the White Paper on Defence to make Columb Barracks a national facility for the Reserve Defence Force. The proposal was supported by my constituency colleague and Government backbencher, Deputy Penrose. Has the Minister considered our proposal?

Four years after the Minister's party, with the support of the Labour Party, decided to close Columb Barracks, Mullingar, the Government does not have a plan to ensure full utilisation of a magnificent facility in Mullingar town. At the time of the closure, the Government promised the barracks would be fully utilised within a short time. This is another broken promise by the Government.

See this speech in context