Vol. 548 No. 5
123 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Defence when disturbance money will be paid to Army personnel who were forced to transfer from the closed Army barracks to Muckno, Castleblaney to Monaghan in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5575/02]
The Defence Forces modernisation programme required the closure of a number of military barracks beginning with a number in 1998 and concluding with Clancy Barracks late last year. These closures inconvenienced a number of Defence Forces personnel, some of whom may also have incurred additional financial costs by virtue of their new posting. I am sympathetically disposed to such personnel. Discussions on this matter have taken place with both of the Defence Forces representative associations under the Defence Forces conciliation and arbitration scheme. Agreement was reached some time ago with the Commissioned Officers Association, RACO, but negotiations are continuing with PDFORRA. By agreement with the associations, discussions under the scheme are confidential to the parties involved. Accordingly, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this issue, other than to say I am hopeful of an early resolution.
