Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a commitment that there will be no further barracks closures. [8406/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I cannot give a commitment that there will not be further programmes of barrack consolidation. The defence property portfolio is kept under review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. The consolidation of the Defence Forces formations into a smaller number of locations is a key objective for me as we strive to maximise the effectiveness of the Defence Forces. The dispersal of personnel over an extended number of locations has been identified as a major impediment to essential collective training. It also imposes increased and unnecessary overheads on the Defence Forces in terms of barrack management, administration, maintenance and security.

In the context of the 2009 budget, the previous Government announced the closure of four barracks - Monaghan, Lifford, Longford and Rockhill House, Letterkenny - which has been achieved and also St. Bricin's Hospital in Dublin. The consolidation of St. Bricin's is linked to the provision of modern medical facilities within the existing departmental property portfolio. The Deputy will also be aware that the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes recommended the closure of Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines. However, Cathal Brugha Barracks is a very significant installation with a wide range of military facilities, accommodation and storage depots and its closure at this time would have significant financial implications.

With regard to further barracks closures, the position is that this issue will be kept under constant review. Should the need arise, from an operational position or as a way of utilising scarce resources in a more beneficial way, consideration may be given to the closure of further barracks.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. At the outset I wish to diverge slightly from the subject matter of the question and commend the Minister of his decision to hold an inquiry into the events which occurred in the Lebanon some 20 years ago. He has my full support in respect of that inquiry.

When in opposition, the Minister's party vehemently opposed the closure of the four barracks to which he referred. The policy to date has been that the money raised from the sale of barracks has been reinvested in the Defence Forces in the context of purchasing new equipment and paying for the modernisation of other barracks. If there are to be further closures, will the Minister provide a commitment to the effect that the policy to which I refer will remain in place? Is he in a position to update the House with regard to the process relating to Connolly Barracks in Longford, the Lifford military post and Monaghan Military Barracks? I am seeking to ensure that responsibility for the barracks in Monaghan has been transferred fully from the Department of Defence to the Department of Education and Skills, which is to establish a VEC campus there.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may know, a total of €85 million was received in respect of the sale of seven barracks at Ballincollig, Fermoy, Naas, Castleblayney, Monaghan, Longford and Islandbridge - latterly called Clancy Barracks - which has been closed for over 12 years. Only part of Longford Barracks was closed. Should barrack closures occur in the future, I would be anxious that we should continue with the approach that was adopted previously, namely, that the money obtained should be reinvested in the Defence Forces. As a result of the way in which moneys have been dealt with in recent years, the Defence Forces have been in a position to modernise buildings and procure up-to-date equipment. Such equipment is extremely important in the context of domestic duties and peacekeeping operations. I do not intend to depart from such an approach should it prove necessary for barrack closures to take place.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Is there a list of barracks within the Department relating to barracks which may be considered for closure? When the Minister entered the Department was he briefed in respect of any barracks that may be considered either for closure or within the context of decentralisation?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There is no list of potential barrack closures. In the context of the overall resource limitations within which the Government is operating and by which my Department is affected, we are considering how best to use the resources available in order to maintain the Defence Forces at the very high level at which they currently operate and provide an efficient and streamlined defence establishment which will be both fully operable and capable of meeting its civil and international obligations. It is my intention to proceed along that route. There is no hidden list relating to potential barrack closures. However, an overall review is being conducted in the context of the financial stringencies impacting on the Government as a consequence of the huge financial with which we are confronted and our obligations pursuant to the EU-IMF agreement concluded in December last.