John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Question 409: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the adverse effect the uncertainty regarding the potential closure of army barracks across the country is having on the soldiers who will be directly affected; if he will confirm the position in relation to these rumoured closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29954/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As of now, no decision has been made by the Government on the future of any military installation. The issue of the closure of barracks no longer required for operational reasons to effect necessary savings will, however, be considered shortly by Government. Various commissions, reports and studies back to the 1990s identified barrack closures as a fundamental requirement for improving military effectiveness and efficiency. Since 1998 a total of ten barracks have been closed under two barrack consolidation programmes. A total of €84.98 million has been realised from the disposal of six of these barracks and part of another. The monies received from the sales of such properties have been reinvested in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces.

The priority must be to ensure that all decisions about resource allocation are focused on maximizing the capabilities of the Defence Forces and ensuring their continued operational excellence. I am also anxious to ensure, in so far as is possible, that the Government is not compelled by fiscal and budgetary constraints to effect any substantial reduction in the current number of personnel in the Defence Forces.

I regret that, prior to this matter being considered by Government in the context of the overall review of expenditure, uncertainty has arisen as to the future of barracks and that this is a cause of concern to members of the Defence Forces and family members. This unfortunately is a consequence of the appalling financial legacy inherited by the Government and my obligation as Minister is to fully engage in the review that is being undertaken to ensure that this State fully meets its obligations under the EU/ECB/IMF agreement concluded by the previous Government in November 2010 and to comply with our obligation to substantially reduce public expenditure.