Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for his very comprehensive address to the Seanad on the Defence Forces. It goes without saying that as a country we are of course truly proud and grateful for the support of both the Permanent Defence Force, the Civil Defence and all other auxiliary supports around them. They do an amazing job, which is very important. It is also important for us to deal with their remuneration. I have heard stories of members of the Defence Forces having to apply for family income supplement, which is surely very disappointing for the men and women of our Defence Forces. Platitudes are not good enough and it is about supporting them through their conditions of work, ongoing training and welfare for families and children as they work on behalf of the State. The Minister of State and his Government are, correctly, very proud of their achievements, which is clear from the various ceremonies and celebrations where I have seen the Minister of State. I have no doubt he takes the role very seriously and is very committed to it.

It is time to shine a light on our Defence Forces, including the Permanent Defence Force and Civil Defence. We must deal with their wages, their terms and conditions and the health and welfare of the members and their families. I say this in the broadest sense of the word "health" as it is important that people serving this country are given the full support of the State in everything they do. That goes for remuneration and other opportunities, such as training and possibilities of promotion within every rank of the service. That is important and we should hear more about.

I wish to raise some specific issues.What is the Minister of State's vision and plan for Mullingar barracks? Is it too late to cry halt and retain the barracks, given the importance of its location? Are there opportunities to develop it for the Civil Defence or the Reserve Defence Force? We need answers to these questions because they are very important. I would be pleased if the Minister of State could share something with us today in this regard. I believe he can stop this and pull back from it. As we speak here, unless he knows something I do not, the barracks has not been sold. It is of strategic importance in the short, medium and long term. It makes absolute sense that he, in conjunction with his Cabinet partners, would reconsider selling and instead retain it and decide what its future is. I ask him to address these issues.

I will conclude by referring again to the importance of the welfare, health and well-being of our Defence Forces and their being fully remunerated for the wonderful, sterling, distinguished work they do on behalf of each and every one of our citizens in this State.