Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 March 2012
10Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence the plans he has developed for the future of closed army barracks sites in Mullingar, Clonmel, Castlebar and Cavan; if any progress has been made on these plans; the consultations that have occurred with the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14191/12]
View answerTá an Teachta as láthair inniú. Ní fheadar cén fáth.
Táimid anseo.
When the Government took the decision to close a number of military barracks, my colleague, the Minister for Defence asked his Department to enter into discussions with other Departments, local authorities, State agencies and community groups regarding the possible purchase of the properties to benefit the local community as a whole but with particular emphasis on job creation measures. In this regard, officials from the Department of Defence have met with officials from the various agencies and discussions are ongoing.
I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to dispose of the barracks so as to maximise the benefits to the local community.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this matter. It is a pity it has to be raised at all. The Minister of State visited the constituency last week and I hope his local organisation gave it hot and heavy to him about the closure of the barracks.
I heard the Deputy was watching us outside.
The same as in 1998.
This day week, the Army personnel in Mullingar will be walking through the town of Mullingar for the last time. The Minister of State has referred to the proposal to make Army barracks available to the community. Four years ago, Longford town barracks was closed and at this stage negotiations are still ongoing between the Department and the local authority. There is no funding available from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to the local authority which has been told it must come up with the funding itself. The only way to generate funding is from the local rate payers. Is this what will need to happen with regard to the barracks which are being closed before Christmas, that if the local rate payers wish to maintain ownership of their barracks they will be the ones who will have to pay? This should not happen. Unfortunately it has been decided that the barracks will be closed but the Department of Defence should engage with the local authorities and local groups in these towns to make the barracks available free of charge. These are the people's barracks and not the property of the State. The Reserve Defence Force has advertised for premises in an area where the barracks is to be closed in a week's time. Last night, the Reserve Defence Force in Mullingar met for the last time in Mullingar barracks and they do not know where they are going. I understand this is not the direct responsibility of the Minister of State but no premises has been sought for the Reserve Defence Force. The Department of Defence has shown little flexibility to allow the Reserve Defence Force to remain in the barracks at least until an alternative location is found. However, there is no need for an alternative location. The barracks should be given back to the local community and the Reserve Defence Force should be allowed carry out its good work.
That was a very lengthy supplementary question.
The Reserve Defence Force is a very important part of the Army infrastructure. The Department has advertised as late as this week in its search for space adequate for its needs. A full-time barracks is staffed with full-time members of the Defence Forces. I am a former member of the Reserve Defence Force - as is Deputy Brendan Smith. I was a long-serving member of B Company, 8th Battalion and I was a good sharp-shooter in my day. Deputy Durkan is a good sharp-shooter still. The Reserve Defence Force has an important role as a part-time reserve but it does not require the facilities to which Deputy Troy refers. As regards the issue being debated by Longford County Council, this is a matter for discussion. I will mention it to the Minister.
The decision to close Dún Uí Néill barracks in Cavan town is absolutely the wrong decision. I debated the matter with the Minister, Deputy Shatter.
It is the most modern barracks not only in Ireland but in Europe. It is also the most cost effective barracks in Ireland. The Minister of State, who comes from a neighbouring consistency, will know that the personnel based in Dún Uí Néill did us proud in dealing with the difficulties on our Border during the troubled times in this country and in serving on missions abroad with great distinction. It is most disappointing that the personnel in Dún Uí Néill will march through Cavan town on St. Patrick's Day for the last time and that 140 personnel will be lost to the town. It breaks a long military tradition in Cavan town, admittedly, under a different regime dating back to the 1700s.
There will be a huge cost involved in getting a location to house and provide a training centre for the Defence Forces Reserve. As the Minister of State is aware, their equipment must be stored and it just cannot be moved and collected when it is needed. There are huge costs involved in providing an adequate centre for the Defence Forces Reserve whose members do excellent and unsung work.
Sadly, this is the last day we will have the opportunity in this House to refer to the outstanding contribution of so many members of the Permanent Defence Forces in all of the locations mentioned, although the people of whom I am aware are based in Dún Uí Néill in Cavan. I had the opportunity twice in the past fortnight to attend different functions in that most modern barracks which is an integral part of County Cavan and of the wider Cavan-Monaghan-Meath-Leitrim-Longford area. This is most disappointing.
I do not know if the Minister of State is aware that the Estimate in regard to the so-called saving on the closure of Dún Uí Néill is in the order of €300,000. However, that does not take into account the rental arrangement that must now be entered into in regard to the Defence Forces Reserve and the ongoing security of the site which will be a requirement on the vacation of Dún Uí Néill by the serving members. All of these arguments point to the ill-thought out proposition in the first place and the fact there is no real saving involved and that that has not been the agenda all along.
Very understandably and very correctly, there has been a key and critical focus on the serving military personnel based in Dún Uí Néill but what is the Department of Defence's position in regard to non-military personnel based in Dún Uí Néill, namely, those involved in maintenance and upkeep, some of whom were transferred from other closed military installations? The closure of the Monaghan military barracks some years ago saw the relocation of very qualified maintenance personnel to Dún Uí Néill in Cavan. Where do those personnel now stand? What is the prospect for their continued employment or relocation? Will the Department of Defence proactively assist their transfer within departmental interests in the Cavan-Monaghan area rather than force them to relocate to what most likely will be impossible distances for their very rooted family interests in Monaghan and Cavan? If the Minister of State is not in a position to fully respond, will he please undertake to put this question to the Minister, Deputy Shatter, on his return and advise this Deputy of exactly what is intended in that area of concern?
When the Minister for Defence met the various representatives from the barracks and Oireachtas Members, he gave an indication that a foreign college was interested in locating in the premises. This foreign college seemed to have been interested in locating in Mullingar, Cavan and in Clonmel. Will the Minister of State confirm if three foreign colleges are interested in locating in the barracks or whether one college may be interested in locating in one barracks? What progress has been made and when can we expect enrolment into these colleges?
I would like to refresh the memories of Deputies opposite, in particular. Since 1998, ten barracks have been closed. In July 1998, the then Government, of which Deputy Smith was no doubt a Minister, announced the closure of six barracks, including Ballincollig and Fermoy in Cork, Devoy in Naas, Magee in Kildare, Castleblayney, which is in Deputy Smith's constituency, and Clancy in Dublin. It involved 880 personnel.
Will the Minister of State read out that again?
We are not deaf.
I am not finished. In 2009, the then Minister announced the closure of four barracks, including Monaghan in Deputy Smith's constituency, Lifford in Donegal, Longford in Deputy Troy's consistency, and Rockhill House in Donegal. Notwithstanding that-----
We are in this situation because of the policy of Deputy Smith's party in government and the way the economy was run.
However, I will address this issue if I may. We all know of the issues along the Border and Deputy Smith and I, in particular, know there were significant events north of the Border which demanded that we needed such a response.
Some south of the Border, unfortunately.
Thankfully, that is all over now. That is a very important issue. We must now reorganise our Defence Forces in a practical and realistic way. Irrespective of whether Deputy Smith believes it, we all know change must happen. Change is never easy but we must talk about the positives. In the reconstruction taking place, at least 500 young people will have the opportunity to become full-time members of the Defence Forces in the next year or so. That is very positive and constructive. That is what this Government is doing. It is making those decisions in light of that.
Does the Minister of State have the number of those who took early retirement?
The Minister of State did not reply to my question.
What about Deputy Ó Caoláin's question?
I apologise. I did not hear what the Deputy said.
I thought the Minister of State was listening to me.
I was listening but did not hear what the Deputy just said.
I asked about non-military personnel in Dún Uí Néill barracks in Cavan and, presumably, in the other locations. They are a particular area of interest that has had little or scant attention heretofore and I would like to know exactly what the Department of Defence intends to do to facilitate their continued employment.
I have not been asked that question officially and it is not on the Order Paper. I have not been briefed on it but I will ensure the Deputy gets a reply as quickly as possible because it is an important question and it should be fully and promptly responded to.
All we got was a history lesson from the Minister of State. He did not outline what his future plans or proposals are for the barracks.
I have to take the next question.
We do not know what will happen in regard to the colleges, what negotiations-----
We do not have much time.
-----or what consultation he has had with the community groups.
That is enough, Deputy.
We are talking about the present and the future for the personnel of these barracks. We are no wiser.
