Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Regarding comments about the Minister, Deputy Ryan, I do not believe this was disingenuous. I believe that when he made the statement on social media, it was on the basis of a case he has been making for many years, namely, that this is a very strategic site that could be used for housing. I do not believe anything was meant by that. He also recognised the Defence Forces need to be accommodated. What I would say as Minister for Defence is that no decision has been made to move out of Cathal Brugha Barracks or to relocate that barracks. We are not at that stage. We are going through a tendering process to put a feasibility study in place that will take some time so that we can weigh up all the pros and cons. We will work with the Defence Forces and representative bodies and seek security advice to make the right decision for Defence Forces personnel, their families and Dublin. I thank the Senator for her additional comments.

For the avoidance of doubt, I reiterate that no decision to relocate Cathal Brugha Barracks has been made. I was very clear on this point in the Dáil. The only decision made to date has been to undertake an independent and externally conducted cost-benefit analysis and feasibility study on the implications of considering such a move. This study will comprise three fundamental aspects. One involves the consideration of whole life cycle costs and benefits, including new land acquisition costs and provision of a new barracks, which undoubtedly would be necessary should this move take place. The second involves assessment of the operational and security implications and risks associated with relocation, because they are very real. The third involves determination as to the feasibility of relocating incorporating internal comparators as to how other states manage the threats and risks to their capital infrastructure in their capital cities. This project should take between nine to 12 months to complete and all relevant stakeholders will be briefed as the project progresses. It is expected the aim of the project will be achieved, namely, to allow for an informed and holistic debate on the merits of the current location at Cathal Brugha Barracks, which has served Ireland well for a long time.

Regarding the Senator's last question, I hope to be in a position next week to launch the outcome of the work of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. I believe this report is probably the most important piece of work done strategically in terms of the future of the defence debate in Ireland and the Defence Forces, how they are resourced and capability issues we have seen in many decades. I hope it will be an opportunity for us to debate in some detail in this House, which I suspect the Acting Chairman would appreciate, what the future of the Defence Forces looks like and the resourcing implications of those recommendations. I look forward as Minister for Defence to leading that debate. This is a commission set up by the Government. It is a commission I put together in terms of its chair and members. It has extraordinary experience contributing to the recommendations it is hoped we will publish at some point next week. This is in some ways a watershed moment for a future reflection and commitment from Government on the Defence Forces of the future and how we resource, structure and support them in the context of creating a very exciting opportunity for many young people to choose a career in the Defence Forces for the future.

I hope I have clarified the situation concerning Cathal Brugha Barracks, primarily for Defence Forces personnel and their families but also for the broader public and this House. I look forward to bringing forward the details, recommendations and work of the commission, which has been working on this issue for more than 12 months. It is a watershed moment in the defence debate and the Government has very serious responsibility in terms of how we respond to that.