asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of proposed improvements to Army barracks throughout the State; and when precisely such improvements will take place.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Improvements to Army Barracks.
3.
(Limerick West): The development of Army barracks throughout the State is kept under continual review and improvements are carried out on an ongoing basis within the limits of the resources available for this purpose.
Will you give us some detail?
The Deputy ought not put a question from a sitting position.
On behalf of the Deputy who has put down this question, it has asked for detail. We all know the Minister and his Department do their job actively in terms of keeping matters under review and in terms of keeping plans but the question seeks some detail of what specific improvements, if any, will be undertaken by his Department to many of these very old, often almost Victorian-type buildings——
That is a matter over which the Chair has no control.
I am asking the Minister through you, a Cheann Comhairle.
(Limerick West): If the Deputy will ask me specifies I will gladly give them. I want to tell the Deputy that high priority is given to improving the administrative and operational accommodation required by the Defence Forces. I might say also that much of the existing barracks accommodation, installations and other military facilities is very old and in need of constant attention. Many buildings are in urgent need of modernisation or replacement but as the Deputy will know — because of the cost factor and the limitation on funds — a fraction of those needs only can be attended to.
With the indulgence of the Chair I wish to compliment the Minister on the facilities he recently opened at the Curragh for serving soldiers, excellent living and other facilities there. Would the Minister say, in view of the dreadful, unacceptable conditions — and I know they are unacceptable to the Minister as well — for both serving soldiers and overholders, whether he can make any arrangements with the local authority to vacate these premises as they are unfit for habitation?
(Limerick West): If the Deputy will bear with me there is another question later and I shall be glad to answer his supplementary then.