Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 2

Written Answers. - Army Barracks.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

108 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the criticism expressed at the recent RACO conference of his failure to consult with soldiers' representatives in relation to the recent closure of a number of Army barracks; if he will give an undertaking that there will be full consultation in relation to any future proposed closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26725/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The question of the number and locations of Defence Forces barracks is not one which comes within the remit of the representative associations. It is a matter for Government to decide.

However, following a decision to close a barracks there is an important role for the associations in identifying issues of concern to their members. The issues which can be considered jointly with the associations are the management of the closures and the associated personnel matters. It was always accepted that both associations had a legitimate role to play in this area with a need for ongoing consultation during the planning and transfer period. This was made very clear to them at the time of the announcement of barrack closures.

Arrangements were made for the local representatives to be briefed on the work of the military project teams on barrack closures. An overall briefing for the association officials was also arranged. These arrangements provided an opportunity for the associations to raise and address the concerns of their members.

It is universally accepted that barrack closures were necessary to remove from the Defence Forces the intolerable burden imposed by manning and maintaining unnecessary installations. RACO itself appreciates the necessity to effect closures. This point was reiterated publicly by the association's representatives at the recent ADC. The closures will release troops for operational duties and they will provide resources to improve the infrastructure of the Defence Forces.

The barrack closure issue was ignored by successive Administrations for the last 20 years. I very much regret this. While my decision on this matter may not be popular with everyone, as Minister, I was not prepared to take the easy way out and let thestatus quo continue. This would have been unfair and would have proved a major stumbling block in the ongoing reform of the Defence Forces.