Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Defence if a meeting with him was sought by a Defence Forces representative association to discuss barrack closures; the date the meeting was sought; if the meeting has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42929/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, PDFORRA sought a meeting with me to discuss the issue of barrack closures. While no date has been set for such a meeting, I have assured PDFORRA that I will meet it to discuss how we can achieve the implementation of the decision to close barracks, including the closure date of 31 January 2009. I have had no request for a meeting from RACO.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Surely, if PDFORRA asked to meet shortly after the announcement of the closure of barracks, the Minister could have arranged a date to meet by now. PDFORRA is concerned about the welfare of its members and the disruption of family life involved for 650 people who will be moving to different locations and workplaces. This will involve changing schools in some cases. In many cases it will involve travelling long distances to work because people cannot source alternative accommodation. In 2004 an announcement was made about the decentralisation of the Department of Defence and the defence headquarters to the Curragh. It still has not happened. The Minister expects these people to move from four barracks in the space of 14 weeks. That time lead-in is not adequate in view of the disruption involved, which has manifested itself outside this House and continues to do so in the counties affected, including some of the Minister's people.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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My secretary wrote to PDFORRA on my behalf on 13 November, making it clear to PDFORRA that I would be prepared to meet to discuss the implementation of the Government decision, not the substance of the decision. I am awaiting a response from PDFORRA to that letter. If PDFORRA wants to meet me to discuss the implementation of the decision, I assure the House there will be no difficulty.

Regarding the 14 week timescale, discussions have taken place on behalf of the staff being moved, between my officials and the representatives in PDFORRA. There have been various discussions on the timetable. On a number of occasions, including to delegations that came to see me on this matter, I have said that if we cannot meet the target of 31 January, so be it. I am not hung up on the target. As of now, I expect it to be met but if it is not met by 31 January I am prepared to give it another while.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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In view of the fact that some personnel live across the Border in Derry and elsewhere and some personnel are serving in Chad at this moment, what accommodation has he made for these people? The Minister must realise that accommodation must be made for these people in their new workplaces. What guarantees can the Minister give the House that there will be adequate accommodation, whether office or storage, for personnel moving into a whole new work environment?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I can give the House this guarantee, that no one will be moved until the facilities in the receiving barracks are adequate. As a representative of a party in favour of cutting public expenditure to a greater extent than the Government is——

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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That has nothing to do with it at all.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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——Deputy Deenihan will support that. I recall Deputy Deenihan's immediate reaction to barrack closures. He did not question the merit of the barrack closure at all, in sharp contradiction to the Deputy James Bannon who stood on a platform in County Longford, trying to score political points off my colleague, Deputy Peter Kelly.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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It was the same with Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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He said that Fine Gael would oppose the closure of the barracks no matter what. It did not matter what it cost.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher did exactly the same in Donegal.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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This is playing politics and talking out of two sides of one's mouth.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I am not playing politics.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Perhaps Deputy Deenihan will enlighten the House——

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I am asking the Minister a question.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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——as to where Fine Gael stands on this matter. Is Fine Gael for or against the closure of the barracks?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I will explain the procedure, which is that the Minister answers the questions and the Deputies opposite pose them.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to get some clarification. The people are entitled to know where Fine Gael stands on this important matter.