Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this report. I thank the Minister for the work he has done and the commitment he has given to this report on behalf of the Government. I look forward to seeing its full implementation. The allocation that has been put into budget 2023 is a very strong starting point and sets out the commitment this Government has to our Defence Forces. Senator O'Loughlin spoke about the men and women of our Defence Forces, the real Óglaigh na hÉireann. I have mentioned this previously in this House. My cousin Captain Marie Carrigy is a member of our Defence Forces, currently serving abroad. We as a family are very proud of her being a member of the Defence Forces and the role she plays, as well as the role played by all members of our Defence Forces, serving both here and abroad.

I come from Longford. One of the barracks there, Sean Connolly Barracks, was closed about ten years ago. The barracks in Mullingar was also closed. Investment has been put into Columb Barracks in Mullingar for an electric vehicle charging centre. I am currently working on a project to try to get a third level education facility in Sean Connolly Barracks in Longford. Then there is Custume Barracks in Athlone. There is a very proud tradition in Longford and Westmeath. I concur with the comments of Senator Chambers. Maybe the Reserve Defence Force could go back into towns where there are old barracks. Longford and Mullingar were both Army towns and a lot of Army families are still there. They might not travel to Athlone, but if something was set up within those towns, it could be very positive and get more people to join.

I will focus on Custume Barracks and the role it has played in the history of our State. I have brought this to the Minister's attention before. It is important not just to maintain the facility that is there but improve on it, given where it is located in the centre of Ireland. I pay tribute to all those who served in the barracks. We need to improve that facility.