asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the lack of services and the unsatisfactory conditions in Finner Camp, County Donegal, he will state the action, if any, he will take to improve conditions; and if he will give these improvements priority.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Army Camp.
2.
Proposals to improve the accommodation at Finner Camp have been under consideration and rate a high priority in the present financial year.
I am glad to note that the Minister is giving high priority to the development of Finner Camp but in view of the problems there would the Minister be prepared to carry out an urgent examination of all the problems affecting the personnel at the camp? These problems have been affecting the personnel over the past 12 to 18 months.
What sort of problems?
The Minister is aware of the problems and I do not wish to spell them out here. It would be doing an injustice to everybody if I did so. Will the Minister carry out an examination of the problems in the camp?
It is wrong to say that there are certain problems and, by innuendo, to suggest that they are difficult but not name them. I have carried out an examination of the situation at Fnner Camp and I hope that during this financial year considerable work will be carried out there which will improve the living accommodation of the personnel. By any standard—by the standard of absence, by the standard of health and by the standard of efficiency— the soldiers at Finner Camp are at least as good, perhaps better, than any other unit in the Army.
Will the Minister carry out the examination in relation to the problems at the camp?
The Minister has carried out an examination in regard to rumours and such rumours are completely unfounded.
The rumours are not unfounded. Will the Minister carry out another examination?
The Minister has already carried out a full examination and if the Deputy wishes to mention the problems he has I will deal with them now. Rumours, in relation to personnel at Finner Camp, are incorrect and unfair to the personnel there. The Deputy should name the problems and I will deal with them now.
May I have permission to visit the camp on the 5th of next month?
Yes.