Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, although I would not necessarily welcome his speech. As far as this issue is concerned, these are additional barracks which it is proposed to close. I will give an example of what the Dún Uí Néill barracks means to people in Cavan. The former Minister for Defence, the late John Wilson, uncle of our esteemed whip, Senator Wilson, brought the proposal to build it in 1987 during a very difficult recession. The Taoiseach commended him on looking after his constituency. The proposal was approved by the Cabinet and it has been a major benefit to the development of Cavan since that date. A large number of officers and men use that barracks because it is so strategic as far as the Border is concerned, and Senator Wilson outlined that in his speech. This barracks in the Border area is vitally important.

We have suffered a bad fallout from the closure of the Longford barracks. The former Deputy, Peter Kelly, fought as best he could to retain that barracks in Longford. It was very disappointing for him when the decision to close that barracks was made and it was detrimental to his electoral chances.

I am nominated to this House by PDFORRA and RACO, as are other Members. I have a mandate to speak on behalf of those organisations in regard to issues which come before this House.