asked the Minister for Defence how many members of the regular Defence Forces were stationed in Clonmel Barracks on 31st March in each of the years 1957 to 1960, inclusive.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces in Clonmel Barracks.
32.
The number of personnel of Na Buan-Óglaigh stationed in Dún Uí Chiceam, Clonmel, on 31 Márta in each of the years 1957 to 1960 inclusive was as follows:—
|
1957 |
301 |
|
1958 |
192 |
|
1959 |
342 |
|
1960 |
219 |
Can the Minister indicate what the intention is in regard to Clonmel Barracks? Is it intended to maintain an average of 300, 200 or 100 permanent troops there or is it intended steadily to reduce permanent Army personnel at that post?
As I indicated, there will be no significant reduction, due to the reorganisation, as compared with the number that were there prior to the reorganisation. The figure for the date in 1959 on which the Deputy chose to ask the question was inflated due to the fact that there happened at that time to be 18 recruits in training in Clonmel.
I do not regard the difference between 301 and 342 as an inflation. In 1957 there were 301. That goes down to 192.
On a particular date.
Yes.
If the Deputy wants to get the facts he should ask for the average for a 12 months period.
Could you not give it to him?
It would be very helpful if the Minister, being Minister for Defence, had offered that information, saying that average figures were more reliable.
The average for the 12 months ended 31st March, 1959, was 213. There are always fluctuations.
Perhaps the Minister would be good enough, at his convenience, to let me have the average numbers for these four years.
Certainly. If the Deputy had asked for them he would have got them now. I shall send them to him.
Why did Deputy Dillon not allow Deputy Mulcahy to ask that question?
Why did you not ask it yourself?