Other Questions
6Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of the relocation of Reserve Defence Force training grounds across the country following the closure of army barracks in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24566/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra13Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the cost of providing rented accommodation for Reserve Defence Forces subsequent to the closing of their barracks. [24528/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 13 together.
Following the Government's decision to further consolidate Defence Forces personnel into fewer locations, four military barracks - Clonmel, Cavan, Mullingar and Castlebar – closed on 30 March 2012. As a result of the closure of the four barracks, there is a need to provide alternative accommodation for the local Reserve Defence Force units. In this regard, my Department placed advertisements in the relevant local newspapers seeking tenders for the provision of suitable accommodation. Following receipt of the tenders my Department and the military authorities undertook an examination of the proposals received. This process included, among other things, an assessment of the accommodation offered, particularly in terms of suitability to meet the needs of the local Reserve Defence Force units and compliance with health and safety requirements. In addition, discussions with the owners of the properties on terms and conditions and what alterations might be required were also undertaken. As a result, I am pleased that suitable alternative accommodation has been identified in Clonmel, Cavan and Mullingar. I expect the necessary administrative arrangements will be finalised shortly and formal lease agreements will then be entered into. The local reserve units can then take possession of their new training accommodation.
With regard to Castlebar, the position is that agreement has been reached between my Department and Mayo County Council for the sale of Mitchell Barracks, Castlebar, to the council. As part of the sale agreement, Mayo County Council will, for a nominal sum, lease a portion of the barracks to my Department for use by the local reserve unit. This will obviate the need to lease a property locally, thus reducing the overall costs of providing such accommodation.
The leasing of alternative accommodation is a normal arrangement for reserve units in other locations. The Department of Defence has ten permanent rentals and 30 part-time rentals in place, including part-time use of parish and community halls as well as some commercial premises. The total annual cost is less than €100,000 for all 40 premises. Based on these figures, the renting locally of alternative accommodation for the Reserve Defence Force units is the most appropriate course of action and there is no economic argument for keeping a full barracks open to cater for a reserve unit that may only train for a few hours once or twice a week when alternative rented accommodation can be provided for a small fraction of the cost.
I welcome the fact that some finality has been brought to this issue. During interaction at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly meeting this week, the Taoiseach agreed that the threat from militant republicanism is especially high at present. I do not want to reopen the discussion on the closure of Cavan Barracks. Will the Minister confirm the Reserve Defence Force units affected by the closure of Army barracks have been involved in the decision-making process on relocation? Has the Minister a timescale for when the training grounds will open? Is he hopeful they will be open by the middle of the summer? Finally, will there be relocation costs in moving to the new grounds?
As I mentioned to the Deputy, the leases will be signed shortly. I hope and expect that matters relating to all three will be in order by midsummer.
I am not aware of any additional allowances that would arise by way of relocation costs. If there is further information on that I will come back to the Deputy. The locations of the rental premises are within a reasonable distance of the original barracks, where people trained. If there is additional information I will come back to the Deputy with it.
Can the Minister repeat the figures he cited a moment ago? I think he said there is an agreement to sell the premises to the local authority and lease back a portion of it for a nominal fee. Did he mention a sum of €100,000? What does that figure refer to?
The figure of €100,000 is the total amount for the rental of 40 different premises for the Reserve Defence Force across the country. Existing leases are in place before the additional ones that are being put in place. Agreement has been reached with Mayo County Council for the sale of Castlebar Barracks for the sum of €600,000, with payment to be made in four equal instalments of €150,000 each year, commencing in 2012. Mayo County Council has agreed to lease back a portion of the barracks for use by the local Reserve Defence Force at a nominal sum of €1 per year. The cost is, therefore, €100,001. When the leases for the other three are signed I will make the rental cost known to the Deputy.
I understand Mayo County Council has earmarked Castlebar Barracks for a particular use. The deal done is based on the facility being provided to the Defence Forces Reserve. This is very welcome as it means the reserve can continue in a familiar location.
I particularly welcome the development in Castlebar. Mayo County Council has an outstanding track record of using facilities such as this. Barracks throughout the country have been left and are going to waste. I am confident that by this time next year Mayo County Council will have shown many places how to do things. I welcome this development.
I very much welcome the development in Castlebar. Officials of my Department have been actively engaged with a broad range of interests regarding the future use of barracks. Ongoing discussions are taking place with regard to the other barracks that have been closed. I do not want to give rise to false hopes by setting timeframes within which progress may be made, but I have some hope and optimism for helpful developments during the course of this year with regard to barracks that have been closed.
7Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Defence the further progress he has made to date in implementing his decision to reduce the number of brigades from three to two; the discussions he has held with stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24575/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra26Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the restructuring of the Defence Forces organisation, including plans to reduce the number of brigades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24406/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 26 together.
Arising from the Government's comprehensive review of expenditure, the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force was reduced to 9,500 personnel. In response to this reduced strength ceiling, I initiated a major reorganisation of the Defence Forces, both permanent and reserve. The reorganisation will ensure that, within the strength level of 9,500 Pemanent Defence Force personnel, the operational effectiveness of the Permanent Defence Force is prioritised. A reduction in the number of Army brigades from the current three to two will bolster the availability of operational personnel by reducing the numbers of military personnel assigned to administrative and support functions. I tasked the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence to bring forward detailed proposals for my consideration. Work is ongoing in this regard. The Deputies will appreciate that in advance of receiving a final report, I will not be in a position to discuss likely options or recommendations or to release aspects of the approach as this is an ongoing deliberative process.
The representative associations and other relevant stakeholders will be consulted on matters that fall within their remit when options on the re-organised structure are considered and the likely impacts are known.
I am conscious that we discussed this matter yesterday in the joint committee when the Minister outlined a timescale, which he might reiterate now for the record of the House. Can the Minister give the House an idea by how many the number of officerships will be reduced? Have any specific decisions been taken in this regard? The Minister also said yesterday there would be no barracks closures on the back of the reorganisation of the brigades.
I will start with the Deputy's last question. I can confirm that there will not be barracks closures based on the reorganisation.
With regard to the Deputy's other questions, I do not want to pre-empt or prejudge the outcome of the process that is underway and in which the Secretary General of my Department, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and officials of my Department and supports of the Chief of Staff are engaged. They are looking at the overall structure of the Defence Forces and how best to organise matters to maximise capabilities and operational effectiveness. That will involve looking at how the Defence Forces are currently structured, the numbers required at officer level and the importance of maximising available financial resources to ensure that we have the required number of troops on the ground and that there is not a disproportion between officers and other ranks. These are all issues for careful concern. Hard work is going on in the background to deal with this matter in a constructive and progressive way. I look forward to the completion of that work.
I do not want to be definitive with regard to timescales as given the complexity of this issue timeframes may not be exactly complied with. I hope the reorganisation structures and architecture will be agreed before the end of this year, that we will start along the road to implementation and that real change will be seen to be taking place by early next year. The programme and the manner in which the reorganisation is to be put in place will become known as we go further through the year. In another eight weeks or so, I should have a clearer view of the exact timeframe by which I would expect to have the final report from the process that is now under way.
I understand the Minister will visit Custume Barracks in Athlone on Monday next, to make an announcement regarding an air ambulance service. He will be very welcome in Athlone. We have been campaigning for 13 years for a helicopter emergency service and we hope the Minister's announcement will be the first stage in seeing it happen.
There is much concern in Custume Barracks about the proposed two brigade structure. When the proposal was previously mooted the Defence Forces were anxious that a brigade would be based in the Dublin metropolitan area. At the time, an analysis was completed by PricewaterhouseCoopers recommending that there be a taskforce for the Dublin area and that one of the two brigades would cover the northern half of the country and one would cover the southern half.
What is the status of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report? It did recommend the structures the Minister is now considering. Will he take the recommendations of the report into consideration before he makes a final decision on this matter?
As a process is now under way, I will not pre-empt or prejudge that process. All I can say to the Deputy is that all issues of relevance will be taken into account as we switch from a three-brigade structure to a two-brigade structure. The operational and capacity issues will be taken into account and how best to deal with a broad range of matters.
In regard to Athlone, as a consequence of the closures that have taken place, as the Deputy may be aware, there is now an increased number in Athlone Barracks. It is in the region of 1,050. The future of Athlone Barracks is secure. I will not pre-empt in any way any recommendations or try to second guess any recommendations that might be made to me with regard to the reorganisation that is taking place. In particular with regard to decisions as to where the headquarters of where the particular brigades should be located.
I accept there is no threat to the future of Custume Barracks in Athlone. It would be ludicrous in the current context considering it is now the biggest Army barracks in the country. However, the concern locally relates to the redeployment of troops from Custume Barracks to other barracks around the country. Could the Minister clarify whether such a redeployment will take place and the number that will be involved if Custume Barracks were to lose the western command headquarters which it currently holds?
It was pointed out in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report that to maximise the use of resources, the best thing to do would be to have a two-brigade structure, one for the northern half of the country which could be easily operated from Custume Barracks in Athlone, and one for the southern half of the country and to have a taskforce for the Dublin area – that there should not be a brigade headquarters based in Dublin. What is the status of the PricewaterhouseCoopers report? Will its recommendations be taken into consideration before a final decision is made?
I hope the Deputy understands that if a process is under way with regard to a reorganisation of the Defence Forces, issues of deployment will be part of the issues that are considered within the context of that process. I appreciate that the Deputy is essentially making the case that a brigade headquarters should continue to be based in Athlone. I presume that every Member of this House who represents Cork would make the same case on behalf of Cork and every Member who represents various constituencies in Dublin would make the same case on behalf of Dublin. I have asked that a process be undertaken to examine what is in the interests of the country with regard to how we should reorganise the Defence Forces. The location of brigade headquarters is part of the process. I will not second-guess the process; I simply reiterate what I have said to the Deputy, that any issues of relevance that should be considered in the deliberative process that is now under way will be addressed.
8Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of ranks in the Defence Forces; his plans to allow promotions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24604/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to circulate a table with the Official Report, which outlines the number of vacancies in the Permanent Defence Force by rank. The number of vacancies, by rank, is based on the employment control framework of 10,000 - all ranks - in the Permanent Defence Force, versus the strength of 8,885 as at 30 April 2012. This is the latest date for which figures are available. As the House is aware, the Government agreed that the strength of the Defences Forces by the end of the year would be maintained at 9,500. The recruitment process has already started. Competitions under the new fully competitive merit-based promotion schemes agreed for generals have taken place while competitions for officers and non-commissioned officers are ongoing.
As the Deputy will be aware a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces has been initiated resulting from the Government decision to maintain the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500. This reorganisation, which will prioritise front line service delivery, will have an impact on the number of vacancies in each rank. I have asked the Chief-of-Staff and the Secretary General of my Department to bring forward detailed reorganisation proposals for my consideration. Work is ongoing in this regard. The effect of the changes on promotion cannot be determined until the proposals are considered and decisions made. Promotions will be carried out within the resource envelope allocated to defence during the course of the year.
Strength of the Permanent Defence Force, as at 30 April 2012 as compared with ECF figures
|
LTGEN |
MAJGEN |
BRIGGEN |
COL |
LTCOL |
COMDT |
CAPT/LT |
SM/ BQMS |
CS/ CQMS |
SGTS/ CPLS |
PTES/ CADETS |
TOTAL |
|
|
Strength at 30 April 2012 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
34 |
133 |
293 |
804 |
66 |
326 |
2,765 |
4,453 |
8,885 |
|
ECF |
1 |
2 |
9 |
43 |
152 |
370 |
774 |
96 |
540 |
3,250 |
4,763 |
10,000 |
|
Vacancies by rank |
- |
- |
-1 |
-9 |
-19 |
-77 |
+30 |
-30 |
-214 |
-485 |
-310 |
-1,115 |
Not all ranks are under-resourced. Based on the employment control framework figure of 10,000, the current strength of the Defence Forces of just under 9,000 indicates that we have an excess of captains - there are 30 too many – but the number of sergeants and corporals is down by 485. I understand the numbers are to be rebalanced under the reorganisation of the Defence Forces. Is there a timeframe for when that will happen? I accept the brigade structure is being reorganised from three to two at the moment. Will there be an interview process to fill in the shortfall in the ranks? We received the reply by email so I am aware of the figures. The table indicates we have 30 captains too many. I presume it is hoped to promote some of them up to the next rank to balance the figures across the board.
In the context of dealing with the general issue, first, part of the process in which we are now engaging is to examine the balance between members of particular ranks and ordinary members of the Defence Forces to ensure there is not a disproportion in the context of those at officer level as compared to enlisted personnel. In the absence of the final report I will receive from the Chief-of-Staff and the Secretary General, it is not possible to state what the distribution of ranks in the new structure will be. I emphasise that the key focus will be on ensuring the operational capabilities of the Permanent Defence Force are maximised as opposed to maintaining ratios. During the course of this year some promotions are taking place and, where appropriate, competitions are being held. In the context of decisions made, we will bear in mind that decisions made should not create a difficulty with regard to there being a disproportionate ratio of officers to ordinary personnel. There is an important issue in that context in terms of maximising the use of resources. We must ensure we have the enlisted personnel we require, which is why we have started the process of recruitment. As the Deputy is aware from a previous announcement I made, there will be 600 recruits to the Defence Forces this year, which will ensure we return to the level of 9,500 after the various retirements that have taken place. Later in the year we will have a clearer perspective of matters with regard to the officers in the Defence Forces and the proportionality between officers and enlisted members.
In October last year the Minister sanctioned the recruitment of officers in the Reserve Defence Forces to bring the complement up to 70%. The figures we were given at the time indicated there would need to be 68 promotions. Did the promotions proceed or are they also on hold pending the overall review?
Promotions have taken place. In 2011, for example, 138 officers and 219 enlisted personnel were promoted. To date this year, promotions include the appointment of one major general, four brigadier generals, 120 officers and 27 enlisted personnel.
9Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on his dealings with Kildare County Council in relation to Magee Barracks, Kildare Town and the ongoing problems there, in particular in relation to the recent large fires on the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24423/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the closure of Magee Barracks in Kildare town and particularly in recent years, the site has fallen into disrepair and all buildings have been severely vandalised. It has also been the focus of anti-social behaviour. My Department has continued, where necessary, to take additional security measures to secure and protect the site. In cases where local residents have notified my Department of any undesirable activity in the area, it has responded immediately to such reports. Departmental officials have met with senior Garda personnel to discuss the difficulties being encountered with the site. In addition, I met with Kildare Chamber of Commerce in November 2011 and had a constructive exchange of views on the matter.
Based on the views expressed by An Garda Síochána in regard to the condition of the buildings on site, the question of their demolition is now being considered. A difficulty arises, however, in that some of them are listed as protected structures. My Department wrote to Kildare County Council in December 2011 in regard to this matter and departmental officials will meet with officials from the council next week to progress the issue. The council is in the process of preparing a local development plan for Kildare town, including the former barracks, and my Department has made a submission in this regard. We welcome the initiative of the council in preparing this local area plan and will be informed by it in our efforts to dispose of the site with a view to providing revenue for reinvestment in the Defence Forces and additional amenities for the local community.
10Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the preparations the Defence Forces have made for cyber warfare; the training that has been undertaken and resources allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24561/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, is devising a national cyber security policy aimed at protecting economic infrastructure and informing and assisting citizens in this regard. I understand his Department is also preparing an awareness campaign focused on cyber security and aimed at individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, the education sector, the public sector and business. The Defence Forces have provided assistance to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the national cyber security response.
In the context of the roles of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, considerable resources are invested in minimising the threat associated with cyber attacks and malicious security breaches, including investment in training. The Defence Forces take comprehensive security measures in deploying their information and communications systems, whether in Ireland or overseas. Details of measures taken are not publicised for security reasons. The European Commission published a proposal for a directive on attacks against information systems in September 2010 and the Department of Justice and Equality is closely engaged in the progress of that proposal.
We have observed on previous occasions in this House that the criminal world is adept at exploiting new technologies for all the wrong reasons, which is something against which we must remain vigilant. In the United Kingdom, for example, we have seen a large number of critical websites taken down as a form of protest. Government websites containing private data relating to citizens are particularly vulnerable to such attacks. How many Defence Forces personnel are engaged in the area of information technology protection and security? Are there external consultants undertaking strategy work in this regard on behalf of the Defence Forces? Second, how much has been invested by the Defence Forces in their own information technology systems in order to ensure they are fully secure against any potential outage?
Two members of the Defence Forces and two members of An Garda Síochána with expertise in this area are part of a committee which is led by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. This is an issue I raised very soon after my ministerial appointment. As chairman of the Government task force on emergency planning, I have briefed the committee on issues relating to possible cyber attacks and related issues. The challenges for cyber defence fall into two areas, namely, prevention and the response to emergencies or incidents arising from cyber attacks or systems failures. Activity is taking place across several Departments and agencies in an effort to guard against systems failure.
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is the central Department in dealing with this issue. We have already had cases of cyber attacks in this State, including an organised attack on the website of the Department of Justice and Equality in the context of an inordinately large numbers of individuals seeking simultaneously to access the site, resulting in problems which persisted for several hours. Counter action has been taken to address this and it is my understanding that a second subsequent attempt to disrupt the site proved unsuccessful. As I said, work in this area comes under the centralised remit of the Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte's, Department and the Government task force will be kept informed of progress in this regard. It is an issue in which I have a particular interest, even though the Department of Justice and Equality is not engaged centrally on the technical aspects of the work.
11Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Defence the number of smaller properties identified as surplus to military requirements; if he will give details of those already disposed of and those being prepared for disposal; and the moneys received for each sale. [24523/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Defence's property portfolio is kept under review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. The Department has been engaged in an ongoing programme of barracks consolidation since 1998 which has brought to 14 the number of barracks closed during that time. In addition, a number of smaller properties have been identified as surplus to military requirements. Some of these have already been disposed of, while more than 30 others are in the process of being prepared for disposal. These mainly consist of married quarters and Defence Forces Reserve premises.
The properties under this category disposed of since 2002 and the amounts received in each case are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Property |
Purchaser |
€ |
|
2002 |
2 properties, Bere Island & Ballincollig, Co Cork |
private |
€ 72,442 |
|
Lands at Assumption Road,Cork |
Cork Corporation |
€1,524,743 |
|
|
Old married Quarters Sarsfield Bks, Limerick |
Limerick City Council |
€ 987,601 |
|
|
Property at Arbour Hill, Dublin 7 |
private |
€ 18,792 |
|
|
Orchard Park, Curragh, Co. Kildare - 29 properties |
private |
€1,152,698 |
|
|
Total 2002 |
€3,756,276 |
||
|
2003 |
Property at Three Castles, Co. Kilkenny |
private |
€ 3,500 |
|
Property at Greenane, Kanturk, Co. Cork |
Southern Health Board |
€ 177,769 |
|
|
Old married Quarters, Sarsfield Bks. Limerick |
Limerick City Council |
€ 174,272 |
|
|
Portion land at Waterford Barracks |
Waterford City Council |
€ 661,534 |
|
|
Orchard Pk, Curragh, Co. Kildare - 12 properties |
private |
€ 447,640 |
|
|
Total 2003 |
€1,464,715 |
||
|
2004 |
Properties at Cobh, Co. Cork |
private |
€2,400,015 |
|
Spike Island, Co. Cork. |
Minister for Justice |
€ 64,662 |
|
|
Orchard Park, Curragh, Co. Kildare - 3 properties |
private |
€ 119,229 |
|
|
Total 2004 |
€2,583,906 |
||
|
2005 |
Property on Bere Island, Cork |
private |
€ 25,397 |
|
Site at Killorglin, Co.Kerry |
Kerry County Council |
€ 11,947 |
|
|
Property at Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
private |
€ 253,973 |
|
|
Orchard Park, Curragh, Co. Kildare - 3 properties |
private |
€ 139,486 |
|
|
Total 2005 |
€ 430,803 |
||
|
2006 |
Orchard Park, Curragh, Co. Kildare - 5 properties |
private |
€ 187,317 |
|
Sale of water and sewage works at Knockalisheen Co Clare |
Clare County Council |
€ 26,324 |
|
|
Arbour Hill Lands |
Dept. of Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
€3,174,345 |
|
|
Portion of land at Sarsfield Bks, Limerick |
private |
€ 3,175 |
|
|
Total 2006 |
€3,391,161 |
||
|
2007 |
Fort Camden, Crosshaven Co Cork |
Cork County Council |
€ 64,008 |
|
2 properties at Ballincollig, Co. Cork |
private |
€ 88,177 |
|
|
Ballincollig, Co. Cork |
HSE South |
€1,095,401 |
|
|
McKee Park, Dublin 7 |
private |
€ 122,824 |
|
|
Property at Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan |
Cavan County Council |
€ 127,016 |
|
|
Orchard Park, Curragh, Co. Kildare |
private |
€ 120,000 |
|
|
Total 2007 |
€1,617,426 |
||
|
2008 |
Property at Douglas Road, Cork |
private |
€2,510,266 |
|
Property at Cahir, Co. Tipperary |
private |
€ 550,000 |
|
|
Total 2008 |
€3,060,266 |
||
|
2009 |
Orchard Park, Curragh, Co. Kildare |
private |
€ 150,000 |
|
Property at Cloughfin, Co. Donegal |
private |
€ 5,000 |
|
|
3 sites at Renmore park |
Galway City Council &Liam Mellowes hurling club |
€ 250,316 |
|
|
Property at Cloghore, Co. Donegal |
private |
€ 60,002 |
|
|
Total 2009 |
€ 465,318 |
||
|
2010 |
Property at Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
private |
€ 2,721 |
|
2011 |
RDF premises Kanturk |
Cork VEC |
€ 5,000 |
|
Overall Total |
€16,777,592 |
The Minister indicated there that some 30 smaller properties are being prepared for disposal. Does he have an estimate based on current market values, which I accept may not be achieved, of the approximate value of those properties?
I do not have that figure. The total sum realised from the sale of all properties, including barracks, is more than €84 million. The figure relating to smaller properties already disposed of, as set out in the table, is €16,777,592. In the current market it amounts to an artificial exercise to seek to put a value on the group of smaller properties earmarked for disposal. Some of them may have no market value at the present time. This issue will be dealt with incrementally by the Department in the appropriate fashion.
I accept that some of these properties will not be considered for sale in the short term because the market does not support it. However, I presume some of them have an associated security cost in terms of their maintenance. Is there an ongoing cost analysis in respect of retaining these properties in the absence of any short-term plan for their sale? I assume some of them are married quarters, most of which, one would expect, are currently occupied. Will the Minister clarify that?
As I understand, there are no major security costs associated with the properties we are discussing. Some of them are married quarters which are now vacated. There are some married quarters that were supposed to have been vacated some years ago but have not been, for a variety of reasons. In the past, these matters have been the subject of Dáil questions. With regard to individual properties that are not utilised, if there are practical uses to which they can be put in the context of local communities, we will consider that constructively. There is no funding available within the Department to convert properties in any particular way, but if there are good ideas about vacant properties for which the Department has no use, they will be considered. The Department obviously has an interest in realising value from those properties because moneys realised are re-invested in resources for the Defence Forces. However, we are in a different financial climate from that which prevailed three or four years ago. Values are substantially less than they used to be. In dealing with individual properties, I and my officials are realistic about funding that may be realised from individual properties, depending on their condition and location. I encourage both Deputies in the House to pass on any good ideas they have about individual vacant properties that do not appear to be moving in any particular direction. When dealing with what are essentially residential properties, there is the possibility of their being put on the market and sold at a realistic price to provide accommodation, where that is appropriate.
12Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the details of the 106 Battalion’s mission with UNIFIL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24581/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main overseas mission in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL. The second rotation of Irish personnel serving with the mission since Irish troops returned to Lebanon in May 2011 was completed this week with the deployment of personnel of the 106th Irish Infantry Battalion to UNIFIL. The 106th Infantry Battalion, comprising some 332 personnel, will form part of a joint Irish-Finnish battalion in UNIFIL with effect from June 2012, when a contingent of 170 personnel of the Finnish defence forces will integrate with the Irish battalion. The joint Irish-Finnish battalion will be based in sector west of UNIFIL's area of operations, currently centred on the major towns of Tibnin and Bint Jubayl, with two posts on the Blue Line which separates Lebanon and Israel. The battalion is tasked primarily with patrolling, reconnaissance and occupying static posts while operating in close co-ordination and co-operation with the Lebanese armed forces in sector west.
Early last month, Brigadier General Patrick Phelan was selected by the United Nations as Deputy Force Commander of UNIFIL from April 2012. He assumed his appointment on 28 April 2012. I know the House will join me in congratulating Brigadier General Phelan and wishing him and the personnel of the 106th Infantry Battalion safe and successful tours of duty in an area that, at the moment, is reasonably quiet.
I join the Minister in wishing Brigadier General Phelan every success. It is a testament to the fine tradition of the Irish Defence Forces in UNIFIL that he has attained that position. Our thoughts and prayers are with the 332 soldiers who have headed out there and their families.
In light of our earlier discussion about the escalating situation in Syria, has any thought gone into the possibility of associated instability in Lebanon? Will that influence any future decisions about the deployment of UNIFIL troops generally in the Lebanese area?
The mandate for UNIFIL remains unchanged in the context of the particular issues that gave rise to it. This is a very volatile region of the world. I do not think anyone can predict with certainty how matters may develop in the coming months, never mind the coming years. Currently, there some refugees from Syria in Lebanon, and there are some reports of disturbances close to the Syria-Lebanon border, but so far, fortunately, the events in Syria have not spilled over into Lebanon to any dramatic degree. The hope is that this will not occur. The politics of Lebanon, including the connections between, for example, Hizbollah and the Syrian regime and the divisions that exist, unfortunately, along sectarian lines within the Lebanese Government mean that this is a particularly complicated area.
I had the privilege of meeting a number of members of the Lebanese Government when I visited our troops in October last. I spoke to the President and the Prime Minister as well as other members of the Government, all of whom come from different communities and political backgrounds, and they were very appreciative of the work done by our troops there. Our engagement with UNIFIL is seen as a positive contribution to the area. Our troops continue to engage with the local community in a supportive way, including by providing funding and local supports for community matters. It is my hope that the troops who have now gone out there will have a safe mission. I had the privilege of seeing them off at McKee Barracks, and I hope to have the opportunity to visit in early autumn. At that stage I will have another opportunity to meet my counterparts in Lebanon, the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Justice. The hope is that the area remains quiet and the events that are occurring so close to it do not give rise to any difficulties.
