Denis Landy (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe. I served with his uncle Tony, a former councillor in Carrick-on-Suir, for many years. I also welcome the group in the Gallery representing the Army spouses, particularly Councillor Patricia Walsh, who is a good friend of mine. She is married to a Carrick-on-Suir man, who is also a very good friend. She took a good name with her to Cavan.

I will speak about Clonmel Barracks. I am probably unique in this House in that I served in Clonmel Barracks. I was a member of the FCA for a number of years and was seconded to the Army for a short period in 1979 to 1980 when the barracks was depleted of many personnel due to the mission in Lebanon. I have an innate knowledge of how the barracks in Clonmel works, and today we have the opportunity to discuss this. I assure the people in the Gallery and Members of the Opposition that the horse has not yet bolted from the stable. This issue is only at discussion level and no decision has been made. I am here to prove to the Minister that this would not be a good decision. I will support the Government's amendment, on the basis that it will prolong the discussion on this matter.

At 12.30 p.m. tomorrow, I will be part of a deputation from Clonmel that will meet with the Minister to discuss this issue. The Minister has allocated an hour and a half for the meeting. We have a very strong case. I am aware that deputations from Cavan and Mullingar are also arriving here tomorrow. We intend to convince the Minister that this would not be a good move. I will deal with some of the cost issues. The projected cost savings are approximately €1.1 million or between €200,000 and €300,000 per barracks. This is being examined in a comprehensive spending review. It will have to be a critical and robust analysis on a cost-benefit basis; it cannot be done in any other way. It will have to be subject to objective analysis when it is completed. If it is proven that it would not save money, the idea should be consigned to the dustbin.

Senator Reilly mentioned the cost of travelling from Clonmel to Limerick. I do not know whether the Senator meant that soldiers should not get the payment but they are entitled to receive it for nine months. The cost of that will be between €200,000 and €250,000 for the nine months. The cost of securing the barracks in Clonmel will be between €150,000 and €200,000.

I ask the Chair for some latitude as I wish to make some further points. The cost of providing extra accommodation in the barracks in Limerick for personnel who will move to Limerick could be approximately €3 million. I refer to the cost associated with those who will leave the Army. Some will not be entitled to full pensions because they do not have the required service and they will have to claim social welfare payments because there are no jobs for them. This could cost up to €500,000 per annum and all of this will be done to make a saving of €250,000 in Clonmel. The figures do not add up. I disagree with the figure put forward by Senator Wilson regarding the cost to the local economy because we have scoped it and it will be agreed by the chamber of commerce locally. It will be approximately €5 million and it will be a massive loss to the economy of Clonmel and south Tipperary. When the spending review is completed, the Minister will not close the barracks.

I agree with Senator Wilson that the Minister has gone to the top brass and asked them to find savings. The easiest thing to do is close the four barracks. All the top brass are based in the Curragh and they do not particularly care about other sites.

Sinn Féin is saying the Government will pay out €700 million in two weeks as a result of the bailout. Amnesia has returned to the Chamber. I remind Sinn Féin Members that their party voted in favour of the bailout.