asked the Minister for Defence when it is proposed to build a new Army barracks for Cavan.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Cavan Army Barracks .
27.
: The question of acquiring a site in the vicinity of Cavan town for the erection of a new military post as an alternative to the existing accommodation there is under active consideration.
: When the Minister says "under active consideration" does this mean that a decision has not been taken to purchase this site in Cavan at present, or does it mean that this site will be purchased? "Ever effort" does not constitute an answer. Does this mean that the site is purchased or is going to be purchased?
: Every effort is being made to find a suitable site. If a suitable site is found then every effort will be made to purchase it.
: I understand that a suitable site has been found and, if so, why has this not been bought because conditions in Cavan barracks at present are deplorable? Furthermore, I should like to know has the Minister visited the present Army barracks in Cavan and, if not, why not?
: I would think from the supplementary information here that Deputy White perhaps is not correct in saying that a suitable site has been found. This brief would lead me to believe that a suitable site still has not been found.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Might I take it that a news item in one of the national newspapers recently to the effect that a military barracks was about to be built in Cavan is not correct? Secondly, might I ask the Minister if it is not a fact that the Minister for Defence's Department and the Army authorities have been trying to get a site in Cavan for the last four or five years approximately?
: With regard to the first supplementary question by Deputy Fitzpatrick, I understand that a certain daily newspaper inquired from the GIS what was the position with regard to the building of a new barracks in Cavan. The Department of Defence furnished the following reply to the GIS:
The question of acquiring a site in the vicinity of Cavan town for the erection of a new military post as an alternative to the existing accommodation there is under active consideration.
Therefore, what appeared in the newspaper article afterwards——
(Cavan-Monaghan): Did the Minister see the news item that appeared in the newspapers?
: I did not. But I have just read for the Deputy the official answer to the query made by that newspaper. The Deputy knows full well that often newspaper stories would not be as accurate as one would wish.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Might I ask the Minister to ask his colleague to get on with the purchase of a site for a military barracks in Cavan and get the building started?
: I should like to contradict the Minister. My information is that a suitable site has been found in Cavan.
: Question No. 28.
: If the Minister does not know the name of this suitable site I can even give it to him——
: Order, please. This is not a question; it is a speech.
: I should like to know why these barracks are not being erected in Cavan? I would suggest that a suitable site has been found and that the Minister is side-stepping the issue.
: I have already said to the House that it appears to me from the brief here that a suitable site has not been found. The Deputy does not appear to believe me and I can do nothing about whichever course he proposes to follow.
28.
asked the Minister for Defence the number of civilian workers or craftsmen employed in Cootehill Barracks, County Cavan.
29.
asked the Minister for Defence if he agrees with the continued policy of leasing Cootehill Barracks, County Cavan.
: I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together. The premises at Tanagh, Cootehill, County Cavan, which are leased by my Department, continue to be required for the accommodation of members of the Permanent Defence Force. There are five civilians employed at the premises. They do not include any craftsmen.
: Do I take it from the Minister's reply that these five civilians are employed in Cootehill, or in Cavan? My information is that these civilians are employed in Cavan and that they have to travel from Cootehill if there is, for instance, a broken toilet, a broken window or what have you.
: I think that someone is not giving the Deputy accurate information and I will repeat the answer which I gave to this question. The premises at Tanagh, Cootehill, County Cavan, which are leased by my Department, continue to be required for the accommodation of members of the permanent Defence Force. There are five civilians employed at the premises. They do not include any craftsmen.
: I should like the Minister to consider employing craftsmen in Cootehill because it is completely unrealistic to expect people to travel to Cootehill. It would make far better sense if civilian craftsmen were employed.