asked the Minister for Defence if he considers that the present strength of the Army is adequate to meet any contingencies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Strength.
15.
I am anxious to increase the strength of the permanent Defence Force and an intensive recruiting campaign is due to commence in the near future.
The Minister promised to send extra troops to patrol the Border area. Is he satisfied that the recruiting campaign will enable him to do this?
I am hopeful that we will be able to fill the two battalions, in other words, 1,040 men. I have sanction for a site for a new barracks in Monaghan town. We are actively pursuing the extension of the barracks at Dundalk. We are investigating the question of whether further work should be done at Finner. I am actively doing everything I can to see that the gardaí of this country will get full support from the Army in their arduous Border duties.
Does the question of the gardaí arise reasonably out of that question? The Minister is quite prepared to expand when he thinks he is "on Easy Street", but he will not be "on Easy Street" in future about the helicopters.
He said "guarding".
He is still prepared to expand when he thinks he is "on Easy Street". That is the nub of my comment.
If the Minister succeeds in building up the Army as he has proposed, and including the new barracks on the Border, will this avoid in future any possibility of any invitation or consent being given for foreign armies coming into do the job for him?
That is a separate question and I have no intention of answering hypothetical questions.
We might as well have no Minister there today.
The Minister referred to a new barracks in Monaghan. Can he tell me if he has assessed the wishes of the people of Monaghan about the establishment of this barracks?
I am absolutely certain that the people of Monaghan are very desirous of getting this new barracks. I am rather ashamed of some of the activities up there by a few people.