Vol. 519 No. 3
126 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Defence if a recent statement made by a senior military officer during the opening of a dining hall complex at Collins Barracks, Cork, had official authority; if not, the action, if any, taken in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13827/00]
The statement to which the Deputy refers was not authorised and represents only the personal view of the individual concerned. The officer concerned appeared to be under a mistaken perception regarding the time taken to rebuild a gymnasium in the barracks in question. The Deputy may be interested to the know that until quite recently the building of the gymnasium had not been identified by military authorities, to me or my immediate predecessors, as a matter of priority. During the period in question significant funds were invested in other building projects in accordance with the priorities identified.
I have received and accepted an apology from the officer's superiors and regard the matter as closed. Any further action relating to the statement made by the officer is solely a matter for the military authorities. I understand the chief of staff has taken the opportunity to draw to the attention of senior officers his concerns that speeches at such events should be appropriate to the occasion.
