Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Tánaiste's commitment to the barracks in Kilkenny. That security is vital. There are more than 400 staff and each of them makes a vital contribution to the economic fabric of Kilkenny. To put that into context, outside their traditional duties, members of the Defence Forces based at Stephen's Barracks, Kilkenny are regularly drafted in by the local authority to grit the city and county's footpaths in freezing weather. We have had flooding in many of our towns and villages and the Defence Forces are never found wanting in providing support. That has been acknowledged in the past and I want to put on the record today that the support they have given on the ground, especially to the local authorities, is immense and the economic contribution they make to Kilkenny city and county is also important. I welcome the Tánaiste's comments and support in this.

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