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

With respect, giving the numbers of personnel linked to Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is very different from giving the numbers for our Defence Force personnel and where they are. I assure the Deputy that there is no downgrading of Custume Barracks at all; in fact, the opposite is the case. We continue to invest there, and we will continue to invest there. However, the advice that I have is that for security and operational reasons, from a Defence Forces perspective, we do not talk about numbers in individual barracks. I understand that because I asked the question before coming in. I knew that the Deputy would say what he has just said. I understand his frustration. I understand that this has been a consistent approach to written parliamentary questions as well. However, I will inquire as to whether I can come back to the Deputy with a more detailed answer. That is all I can do. I will try to be as helpful as I can, but obviously I will not release information if the advice is that it is sensitive from a security perspective. I do not want to overplay that, however, and I will have a look at it again and see if I can come back to the Deputy with more detailed information.

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