Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the Government's obligation to those serving in the Defence Forces, it is imperative that their physical environment and living conditions be up to standard. The Minister of State should be able to walk into any barracks or living quarters in the country and say he would be happy to sleep or work there. From personal experience of having slept and worked in many of those barracks, I can tell him that he would not be able to do that today. It is not acceptable that it is okay for members of the Defence Forces to live and work in conditions that are not acceptable to ordinary, everyday citizens.

The Minister of State mentioned that the built infrastructure programme is based on operational requirements and priority needs. A priority need is for one's workplace not to be cold, damp, falling apart or falling into dereliction. However, that is the situation in many barracks and living quarters. I suggest that the Minister of State initiate a review of the structures and living quarters in every barracks to ensure that he is satisfied, as I do not believe that he actually would be satisfied by their current condition. Will he initiate that review of the living conditions and working environment of Defence Forces personnel?

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