Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank colleagues for the range of questions. I join Deputy Smith in thanking all our emergency and uniformed services who have kept the country safe on many occasions in different ways. The Border communities the Deputy represents are particularly acutely aware of the huge level of service provided by those people. I echo those words. I know Dún Uí Néill barracks because I have been there with the Deputy. Cavan Institute is benefiting from a small piece of it. I take that point and the Deputy's view that the former barracks needs to be reopened in some capacity, given the benefit that would provide to the region. I will discuss that with the Tánaiste, seek his views and those of the Defence Forces and revert back to the Deputy on the issue.

In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, I am happy to explore what is going on there. I do not have a direct role in this or an understanding of the situation but if the Deputy passes on the details, I will seek the views of the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence on why the presentation was denied to some people in the Defence Forces.

On Deputy Murphy's point, there has been a lengthy debate on the triple lock through the Private Members' motion. We will vote on it later today. I see this as amending the triple lock in the sense there will still be three elements, namely, the UN Charter, Government approval and Dáil approval. As I have said on a number of occasions, it is important we allow the Minister for Defence to bring forward legislation - it is our intention to do that in the lifetime of this Dáil - and to allow that to be scrutinised at an Oireachtas committee and considered. When people see the detail of the legislation, I think it will show it is not intended to do what the Deputy fears it will. It is time to refresh the situation regarding the triple lock and I look forward to a debate in due course.

Deputy O'Sullivan referred to Bere Island. That island is getting a good run today. We did its health services a while ago; now we are rightly talking about the issue in relation to the slipway and the need for a fund for slipways and piers. The Deputy made the point there is a defence facility on the island. I will discuss it with the Tánaiste and, perhaps, the local authority and revert to the Deputy.

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