James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me time to discuss this matter which is of the utmost importance to County Longford, namely, the urgent need for the Minister for Defence to reverse his decision to close Connolly Barracks, Longford, in light of the adverse effects on the economic viability of County Longford which will result from the loss of 180 full-time jobs and approximately 160 reservist positions and the disruption which will be caused by the proposed relocation of Army personnel and their families, who are an integral part of our local community in Longford.

There is one aspect of this closure that bothers me more than anything else. In the presence of Deputy Peter Kelly, the Minister, Deputy Willie O'Dea, gave assurances that the barracks would not be closed and Deputy Kelly vowed on a number of occasions that, as long as he was a Deputy, the barracks would remain open. This strikes me as a double act of the greatest possible hypocrisy — I make no apology for saying so.

Government hypocrisy was also evident when I was barred by the Minister, Deputy O'Dea, from attending a meeting to discuss the future of the barracks, to which he of course invited the two Fianna Fáil representatives for Longford-Westmeath. Such a lack of openness and transparency was rich but not unexpected coming from a Minister who last December attacked the tribunal's investigation of the then Taoiseach. It is obvious there is one law for the Minister, Deputy Willie O'Dea, and his pals in Fianna Fáil and another for everybody else. When he gets his own house in order and comes clean on that matter, he can lecture the people of Longford about their barracks, as he tried to do in the past couple of weeks.

The Minister's single-party meeting was held while Army wives protested in great numbers at the gates of Leinster House at his failure to consider their position. Why all the secrecy? What has the Minister to hide? Why was he scared to allow the elected Fine Gael Dáil and Seanad representatives to take part in these important discussions which failed to achieve a reversal of the shameful and ill-thought-out decision to close the barracks? Where were his words of bravado that assured the people of Longford the barracks would not be closed? What exactly are the financial savings made by closing this barracks?

It is unrealistic of the Government not to acknowledge the bigger picture. Furthermore, it is difficult to see how much savings can be achieved, particularly if a site of this size — up to 14 acres — will be put on the open market in the midst of a serious economic downturn. It is my strong belief that the economic savings made by the proposed closure will be minimal and non-cost-effective. This is without taking into account the human and social aspect of the proposal.

Perhaps a buyer has already been found for Connolly Barracks. If there is such a buyer, what plans have been made for the future of this historic premises? Government promises may be cheap to the Minister and easy to break, but when one considers the effects on a whole community, they are inexcusable. The closure of the barracks is the equivalent of the loss of two major industries to the county. The Minister is stripping Longford of its economic prosperity and its unique heritage, and destroying part of our heritage.

This is a savage cutback which will provide little in the way of revenue to the Exchequer given the downturn in the economic return from the sale of such properties, but it will devastate the economy of County Longford. According to PDFORRA, the closure will most likely see an increase in spending to upgrade barracks to accommodate those who are moved as a result of the closure. This is another example of the Government's lack of joined-up thinking. It decentralises and re-centralises on a whim, without full consideration of the consequences.

Connolly Barracks is an integral part of Longford town. It is situated on an historic site going back to 1619 and is at the same time a modern and vibrant working barracks that employs 180 full-time personnel and contributes more than €6 million per annum to the local economy. It was established as a cavalry barracks in the 18th and 19th centuries and was renamed Seán Connolly Barracks in 1922, when Seán Connolly and Seán McEoin drove the British army out of Longford. It took Deputy Peter Kelly and the Minister, Deputy Willie O'Dea, to drive the Irish Army out of Longford barracks in 2008. Why is the Government closing a vibrant working barracks which employs 180 full-time personnel and another 100 plus reservists, all of whom are members of our community and contribute to the viability of shops, hotels, public houses and other business in the area?

I plead with the Minister to reconsider this ill thought-out decision to close the barracks. It is important to a county that has been neglected by successive Fianna Fáil Governments. It has lost industry and jobs such as at Cardinal Health. The Government closed the courthouse in Granard. It nearly got its way in closing the courthouse in Longford town but for a Fine Gael motion at the county council which saved it. Will the Minister ask at Cabinet for this decision to be reversed? It will have a devastating effect on the entire community.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Thank you Deputy. I call on the Minister to respond.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am disappointed that Deputies Mary O'Rourke and Peter Kelly who attended the recent meeting about the barracks are not in the Chamber tonight.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is well over his time.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would have hoped they would have supported my calls on behalf of the people of Longford in this matter.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea.

The consolidation of the Defence Forces formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective of the White Paper on Defence 2000. The dispersal of personnel over an extended number of locations is an impediment to essential collective training. It also imposes increased and unnecessary overheads on the Defence Forces in barrack management, administration, maintenance and security.

The consolidation process is designed to facilitate higher training standards, while also freeing up under-utilised resources and personnel for operational duties. The funding previously realised from the disposal of surplus barracks and properties has, together with pay savings——

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What savings? How much will be saved?

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy Bannon, please.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

——provided some of the resources required for infrastructure, training area development and equipment procurement. In this regard, the White Paper stated "the thrust of the Government decisions in the White Paper is based on their recognition of the necessity to enhance the equipment and infrastructure available to the Defence Forces". These barrack closures move the Government closer to achieving the vision of the Defence Forces set out in the White Paper.

While the closure of barracks and the sale of the properties have provided funding for investment, it was never the driving factor for the consolidation of defence infrastructure. The White Paper acknowledged the current spread of barracks gave rise to significant inefficiencies in manning and organisation that needed to be addressed.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Minister furnish us with the figures for the savings made? No one on the Government side has told us what they are. What are the savings?

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy, please.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Moreover, as has been pointed out in many independent reports on the Defence Forces, the primary driver for barrack organisation and personnel deployment is the efficient and effective delivery of military capabilities.

As the Minister for Defence has said in response to many questions in the House, Defence Forces properties are kept under constant review in terms of addressing Defence Forces requirements and ensuring its most appropriate organisation, taking account of operational requirements.

The current plan has been put together in close consultation and co-operation with the Defence Forces general staff. It provides an overall package that will serve the needs of the Defence Forces into the future. The development and increased capability of the modern Defence Forces, when taken together with the improved security situation along the Border, has removed the rationale for having seven Border barracks and posts and provided this opportunity for consolidation of units in a smaller number of locations.

Connolly Barracks, Longford, consists of 14 acres of land in the centre of the town and has 130 military personnel and eight civilian personnel. The barrack was reopened specifically to provide for the requirement for Border security duties due to the Northern situation.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It was always open.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

With the Good Friday dispensation and the welcome regularising of the security situation, the operational requirement to have troops deployed so widely in seven military posts along the Border no longer exists.

On the northern side of the Border, the chain of British military bases has already been removed. Closing the four smaller Border posts, including Connolly Barracks, Longford, and consolidating them into the existing larger units will provide a major benefit in terms of efficiency and effectiveness in Defence Forces formations and training.

The need to consolidate the Defence Forces has been signalled for many years. While Defence Forces personnel are understandably saddened by the closure of Connolly Barracks, they also understand the need for this action and know the benefits in military training and development to which the consolidation will give rise.

The military authorities have assured the Minister for Defence a range of available accommodation and facilities are in place and that any additional arrangements required will be in place by the time personnel will have to transfer to their new locations. A process of advising and assisting personnel moving to new locations is already in train. The military authorities advised staff on the details of the proposals on the day after the budget. The Army Chief of Staff has visited each of the barracks concerned to meet the personnel. Any staff concerns arising can be put forward through partnership and representative arrangements. The Minister has asked me to assure the House that any issues arising for both civilian and military personnel will be addressed in an appropriate manner.

Regarding Deputy Bannon's argument on the impact on the local economy, it is important to stress there will be no job losses. All the existing military and civilian personnel based in Connolly Barracks will continue to hold their jobs. The Minister and the Department of Defence do not expect any major negative economic impact on the local communities.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is wishful thinking.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is because most of the personnel serving in these installations live in the areas and will, based on previous experience with barrack closures, continue to do so, thereby minimising the impact.

The Minister accepts this was not an easy decision and obviously the Government's desire is to limit the adverse impact this relocation will have on personnel. However, the need to consolidate Defence Forces formations in a smaller number of barrack locations has been evident for some time. These proposals are designed to improve the efficiency of the Defence Forces organisation so as they can continue to discharge the roles assigned to them by Government more effectively.