Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

Senator Landy alluded to the closure of Clonmel barracks, which is a disgrace. The Minister, Deputy Shatter, and his Government colleagues are closing the Defence Forces' facilities in Clonmel, Mullingar, Castlebar and Dún Uí Néill in Cavan town. They claim that savings will result from those closures. I am most familiar with Dún Uí Néill, which is the most modern barracks in Europe. It is a purpose-built facility that costs little more than €250,000 to run, including the fuel for the Army vehicles. When it closes next week, 140 personnel will transfer to Athlone, Dundalk and Dublin. It will cost the State some €30 million to provide additional accommodation for them. What does the Government propose to do with the barracks that are being closed? I have it on good authority that it intends to sell the excellent and modern purpose-built facility in Cavan town to another State agency.