Bernard J. Durkan
Question:20 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider the Curragh, County Kildare, as a suitable location for national Army headquarters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Forces Headquarters.
There are no plans at present to move the headquarters of the Defence Forces to a new location.
In line with the Government's policy on decentralisation, will the Minister consider the location of a permanent, modern Defence Forces headquarters in the Curragh, for a variety of reasons, including accessibility, centralised location and access to the military aerodrome?
There are no plans at present to move headquarters to a new location. However, the Deputy can be assured that the Government are very much committed to decentralisation; indeed, the Department of Defence were one of the first to decentralise 200 people to Galway. In any decentralisation programmes which might be undertaken in my Department in future, I will keep the Deputy's views in mind.
In the event of a development along those lines, will the Minister be prepared to give favourable consideration to that prospect, having particular regard to the vast area of available space and obvious merit in such a location?
All these matters will be taken into account in the event of such a decision being made. I will certainly keep the Deputy's views in mind if there is a discussion in relation to decentralisation in the Defence Forces.
Will the Minister agree that for logistical and other reasons the Army headquarters should remain where they are? Will the Minister also agree that the Curragh is best suited for development as a national training college for the Defence Forces which it currently serves and provides very well?
We are getting into unnecessary argument because, as I said at the outset, there are no plans at present to move anywhere. Plans are underway in regard to major renovations.
Dublin is finding its feet and will fight its corner.