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

The Tánaiste will remember that the last time he visited Custume Barracks he met with me and councillors Keena and O'Rourke, who put a strong case for considering Athlone as the future Army headquarters. The Tánaiste is right to say it was among the Fianna Fáil party requests for the programme for Government that a commission be established on the future of the Defence Forces. I welcome its establishment, the work it did, the publication of the report and its acceptance by the Government. The report recommends that a new Army headquarters be established. For the first time ever, we would have a stand-alone Army in the Defence Forces. Part of the recommendation is that the Army headquarters be centrally located. It further recommends the Army's footprint be regionally disposed to aid recruitment and retention. I do not think anyone would argue against the contention that the most central location for the Army would be Athlone. I ask that the Tánaiste take that on board, accept the recommendations of the commission and implement them as soon as practically possible.

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