Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

The motion is completely at odds with the policy pursued by Fianna Fáil in government; it is mischievous and it is scare mongering of the worst type. It does nothing to help the Defence Forces and causes unnecessary worry to members of the force and their families. When in government, the party implemented two programmes of barrack closures and it closed ten barracks in all. I have no hesitation in giving Fianna Fáil credit for this; it was one of the few good decisions it made. What is the difference now, apart from the fact that the Government is facing the worst possible financial mess, inherited from the Fianna Fáil Government led by former Deputies Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen?

To put the motion in perspective, let us consider Fianna Fáil's contrasting approach when in government. In July 1998, the then Government announced the closure of six barracks, which I will list in case Senator Wilson has forgotten: Ballincollig and Fermoy Barracks, County Cork; Devoy and Magee Barracks, County Kildare; Castleblayney Barracks, County Monaghan; and Clancy Barracks, Dublin. This resulted in the relocation of 880 personnel. In the context of the 2009 budget, the then Government also announced the closure of four barracks: Monaghan, Lifford, Longford and Rockhill House, Letterkenny. When I debate issues in the Lower House, I always wonder whether the people opposite are suffering from magnesia in some way.