Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I want to raise the serious issue of the closure of Connolly barracks in Longford. On "Morning Ireland" this morning a distraught wife of one of the soldiers, who is to be transferred to Athlone, explained how it would affect her home and family in Longford. While I warmly welcome people coming to Athlone, it is a terrible indictment on the Government that it will remove 180 people from the Longford economy. Last month, Century Homes went out of business in Longford. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Defence to the House to debate the imminent closure of army barracks around the country and what it will mean for the affected communities?

The Army's chief of staff is visiting Longford today but he has been sent to placate the people. I find it despicable that he is sent to do the dirty work for the Government, closing down the barracks in Longford. As it is in his constituency, will the Leader appeal to the Minister to put off the closure of the barracks? We went through difficult times from the 1960s to the 1980s and managed to hold on to these barracks. The last attempt to close the barracks was in 1991. Will the Leader request the Minister for Defence to attend the House for a debate on this matter and ask him not to close the barracks?