Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the good news. It seems that we are ahead of schedule and that makes a very welcome change. I completely agree that the swimming pool is an important Defence Forces asset but I maintain that it should be an asset to the community. People in the Kildare and Newbridge area are very much part of the Curragh community and work very well together. I welcome the news that it is ahead of schedule and that we will have it reopened to the schools and groups that used it previously, including the family members of current and past members. However, I ask the Minister of State to bring the message back that the opening of the pool to other users should be considered. I appreciate that there has to be a protocol and a process and that the operational needs of the Defence Forces come first. However, it would be hugely important and welcomed by the whole community, Kildare sports partnership and the educational community of Kildare if we were able to ensure that the local schools and residents had access to the facility.