Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

It is a no-go area for a Fine Gael and a Labour Party candidate. We have suffered immensely under this Government. We held on to that department despite all the financial difficulties.

I have been informed that the savings to the State here are minimal but the benefits to the areas involved are immense. Let us be logical. Unfortunately, too regularly, we hear announcements by private organisations about jobs cuts. The Minister might say we will not lose any jobs here but if one moves the troops from Cavan, Dundalk, Athlone, Clonmel or elsewhere, the cost to the families is immense. One breaks up the community in those areas. Families are settled and their children attend schools within certain hours. People work at home when officers or members of PDFORRA return home. They are part of the community. It is damaging for the area to remove such people from barracks.

I appeal to the Government to desist from the closure of Dún Uí Néill Barracks in Cavan, the Columb Barracks in Mullingar, Kickham Barracks in Clonmel, Stephen's Barracks in Kilkenny and the military barracks in Castlebar. I presume the military barracks in Castlebar will not close and will be protected by the Taoiseach.