Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the barracks in Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12093/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Various commissions, reports and studies back to the 1990s identified barrack closure as a fundamental requirement towards improving military effectiveness and efficiency. The dispersal of Defence Forces personnel over an extended number of locations is a major impediment to essential collective training and the consolidation process is designed to facilitate higher training standards, while freeing up under-utilised resources and personnel for operational duties. In addition, the funding realised from the disposal of surplus barracks and properties provides some of the resources required for infrastructure, training-area development and equipment procurement.

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. In that context the dispersal of personnel over an extended number of locations is a major impediment to effectiveness and also imposes increased and unnecessary overheads on the Defence Forces in terms of barrack management, administration, maintenance and security.

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.

While no decision has been made on the future of any military installation I cannot give a commitment that there will not be further programmes of barrack consolidation.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I invite the Minister to visit Columb Barracks in Mullingar to see at first hand the important work done there. The barracks is vitally important in the region and to the country. It is used for training overseas contingents and was used prior to the current mission to the Lebanon.

I am disappointed that the Minister cannot give a commitment with regard to the future of the barracks and to learn that one of his key objectives is further rationalisation of barracks throughout the country. Mullingar barracks is of vital importance to our region, employing more than 200 personnel and 20 highly skilled staff. The income it generates in the region amounts to €20 million.

The people of Mullingar will fight tooth and nail against any attempt to downgrade or close the Mullingar barracks. I could quote the Minister's colleague at Cabinet, Deputy Willie Penrose, who made a stinging attack during the last administration when closure of the barracks was contemplated, but it was not closed. We will fight and the people of Mullingar will not allow any closure of Columb Barracks in Mullingar.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Well done.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am sure it will not come as a shock or surprise to the Deputy to discover that my two immediate predecessors in the Department of Defence, who represented Fianna Fáil in Government, made similar statements to mine in reply to Dáil questions, which is that in the context of the ongoing review and workings of the Defence Forces no absolute commitment can be given of any nature or that change, at some stage, will not occur.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Penrose was not sitting at the Cabinet table then.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I take with a grain of salt Deputy Troy's stated outrage at the suggestion that-----

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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It was Deputy Penrose who was outraged. Does the Minister take his Cabinet colleague's outrage with a grain of salt?

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister specialises in outrage himself.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Dooley is very welcome back. I did not notice him in the Chamber five minutes ago. He is very welcome to join us.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Tá mé thar n-ais anois.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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More cuts.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I do not believe, as Deputy Troy suggests, that the people of Mullingar will take up arms against the Government or against the Defence Forces-----

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Penrose might.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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-----because the people of Mullingar fully respect our Defence Forces.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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We have no issue with the Defence Forces.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I agree with Deputy Troy that the Defence Forces in Mullingar and in every barracks throughout the country have played an outstanding role over many years. The general public saw how outstanding they are during the events of the past week, when they played a ceremonial and very important security role. They have played an outstanding role in peacekeeping and will continue to do so in the deployment that will shortly take place to the Lebanon.

I do not require a lecture from the Deputy with regard to the role played by the Defence Forces or to Defence Forces personnel in any barracks.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Penrose might need an explanation.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I will not play political games with the Defence Forces or encourage any Deputy to seek some sort of political notoriety in his constituency-----

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Hear who is talking.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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-----by making a declaration of war on behalf of his constituents.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister's party won the general election on the basis of that carry-on. How times change. Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.