Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the past year and a half, I have raised the issue of the future of Dún Uí Neill Army barracks in Cavan.

After its closure in March I called on many occasions for it to be opened again because of security threats along the Border, just seven miles from its location in Cavan town. Yesterday was a sad day in that it marked the official end of the proud tradition of the Irish Army in Cavan town. It was also a happy day because of an education story that I have for colleagues.

Senator O'Reilly, some Members of the Lower House and I attended the handing over of the barracks from the Department of Defence to County Cavan VEC. I compliment everybody involved in that transfer, particularly the following: the chief executive officer of the VEC, Mr. Colm McEvoy; the adult education officer, Ms Fiona Maloney; the principal of the Cavan Institute of further education, Ms Ann Marie Lacey; the chairperson of County Cavan VEC, Councillor Madeleine Argue; and the members of County Cavan VEC for the excellent proposal they put forward for the barracks to the Department of Education and Skills.