asked the Minister for Defence when the two new battalions will be assigned to the Border area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Border Security.
51.
The two new infantry battalions, the 27th and 28th, with headquarters at Dundalk and Finner Camp, respectively, were activated on 1st September, 1973, and have been engaged on security duties in the Border area since that date.
Does the reply indicate that we now have, in effect, two extra battalions in total numbers on Border patrol?
That is a separate question.
It does not, in fact, indicate that but I am glad to tell the Deputy that recruitment and transfers to the new battalions have proceeded to the point where more than half the present strength of those battalions is composed of personnel posted to those units on a permanent basis. When we get our new barracks we will get the recruits.
I support the Minister on that.
When will we have the new barracks?
As soon as the architects and engineers have provided the plans the money will be provided.
Two years' time? The Minister is talking about the new barracks. It will be two years from now. Let us be honest.
The Minister for Defence can only do his best. The engineers and architects have been appointed. They are at their work. As soon as they give me the plans I will see that the new barracks are built.
It will be one-and-a-half to two years.