Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I certainly will ensure consideration is given to the additional projects the Deputy mentioned, in addition to the two that are scheduled to commence next year, the new military equipment store, locker block and upgrade of the other ranks accommodation block. I will ask my officials to engage with the Defence Forces on the other projects he referred to.

We will continue to invest in and support Stephen's Barracks. I am aware of the important role it plays in our Defence Forces strategically and the affection and pride the people of Kilkenny and the south east region have for it. We are in a period of investment. We will see greater levels of investment, which is right, in defence and security in the time ahead as we reach level of ambition 2 for our Defence Forces and move towards level of ambition 3. For example, by the end of last year, more than €232 million worth of capital projects were at various stages of the procurement pipeline and I expect that trend to only go in one direction.

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