Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I second Senator Byrne's amendment to the Order of Business.

I ask that the Leader arrange for the Minister for Defence to come into this House tomorrow afternoon to discuss the rumours circulating in regard to the closure of a number of barracks throughout the Twenty-six Counties, including in Clonmel, Mullingar and Cavan town. I attended a public meeting last night at which more than 500 people were present. Among those 500 people were the wives and families of the 120 personnel based in Dun Uí Neill barracks, Cavan town, the families of the 120 reserve members of the Defence Forces based at Dun Uí Neill barracks, public representatives, members of the community in Cavan town and of the local chamber of commerce.

The meeting was addressed by my colleague, Deputy Brendan Smith, Deputy Joe O'Reilly, Deputy Heather Humphreys, representatives of the Sinn Féin and Labour parties and a number of Independent councillors. All of those who spoke at the meeting expressed grave concern at the rumoured closure of Dun Uí Neill, which is the most modern army barracks not alone in Ireland but in Europe. Personnel from what was the oldest army barracks in Europe moved in 1990 to this purpose built and designed barracks, the only barracks purpose built and designed by the Irish State. It is the most economical barracks-----