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Deputy Jerry Buttimer:    Fianna Fáil closed them down.

Deputy Brendan Smith:    If Deputy Jerry Buttimer reads the Minister’s amendment to the motion, he will note the progress made with the consolidation of barracks even though Fine Gael people railed against it as usual. That consolidation of barracks has been made possible by the very considerable political progress which has been made on this island.

Deputy Dara Calleary’s motion is in stark contrast to the amendment proposed by the Minister in which he condemns public representatives who represent the views and concerns of their local communities. In the amendment, the Minister is obviously condemning the concerns expressed by some of his Government colleagues, some of whom are in the Chamber. I note the Minister commends the consolidation of barracks which has occurred and which enabled major investment across the infrastructure of our Permanent Defence Force. That programme of rationalisation was effective, realistic and left in place the network of military installations needed in our State.

I understand that traditionally there has been higher recruitment to the Defence Forces from areas where barracks are located. We have a long Army tradition in my county of Cavan, as my constituency colleague, Deputy Joe O’Reilly, will know, and I am very glad to have the opportunity to once again commend the work of members of the Defence Forces throughout the country but, in particular, those members who I personally know and who are stationed in Dún Uí Néill in Cavan. I also commend the work of retired and deceased personnel and take the opportunity to pay tribute to so many of those personnel who, in different decades, served overseas on overseas missions acting as great ambassadors for our country.

Coming from a Border area, one is probably more conscious of the vital role of our Army and particularly the work that was carried out by those personnel in very difficult times during the late 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and in to the early 1990s. The changed circumstances in the north of my province of Ulster enabled the consolidation of barracks. Barracks have been closed in the three southern Ulster counties of Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan but three key military installations, all strategically placed, have been left in place. It was probably in 1987 or 1988 that the then Fianna Fáil Government approved the provision of a new barracks in Cavan town and sourced the site on the Dublin Road.

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That barracks, subsequently named Dún Uí Néill, replaced an old and inadequate barracks on Barrack Hill in the town. As a result of that major investment during a time of great economic difficulties, soldiers based in Cavan were able to move into the most modern barracks in Europe in 1990. It is the only operational barracks that has been provided by our own State and all of us are proud of the modern facilities it offers. It is run in an efficient manner and provides good value for money. It is the most economical barracks in the country, with running costs of €200,000 per annum when one includes maintenance, utilities, electricity, heating and transport fuels. It is also a major Reserve Defence Forces training centre. Other FCA centres throughout counties Cavan and Leitrim were merged into Dún Uí Néill to provide better training facilities and benefits of scale from the larger numbers involved.

For towns like Cavan, the Army barracks is an integral part of the community and local economy. The recent reports on the Government’s plans to shut this facility have caused great distress not only to the Army and civilian personnel directly affected but also among the wider community. There is no avoiding the fact that the closure of the barracks will cost jobs and hurt local businesses. Some 120 personnel from A company, sixth battalion of the western command are based in Cavan and an additional 22 personnel are currently serving on the United Nations mission in southern Lebanon.

The facilities of the barracks have been made available to the local community and a state-of-the-art gymnasium and other sporting facilities have been used by our county teams and local sports clubs. Senior citizen organisations also regularly use the facilities. The provision of public facilities on a practical basis to local community organisations has been a welcome development. Deputy O’Reilly and I have been invited to the gym on numerous occasions but work has precluded us from attending. It is very ecumenical to invite all sides.

Acting Chairman (Deputy Tom Hayes):    The Deputy should speak to the motion.

Deputy Brendan Smith:    I will in future.

Deputy Jerry Buttimer:    The Deputy should stop going to the football.

Deputy Brendan Smith:    I remind Deputy Buttimer that our lady footballers are playing in the all-Ireland replay next Sunday, along with participants from County Westmeath.

Deputy Nicky McFadden:    Yes.

Deputy Brendan Smith:    The importance of the Reserve Defence Force is often underestimated. The 6,000 members of the Reserve use several barracks for training purposes, including Dún Uí Néill. The convenient location of barracks is an important part of the recruitment process. In the years commonly referred to as the Troubles, many young people were fortunate to have been recruited to the FCA rather than becoming involved with undesirable organisations. We should not undervalue the training and discipline that was imparted to young people through the FCA.

Last night approximately 500 people attended a public meeting in Cavan to voice their deep concern about the future of our barracks. They recognise that it is a hub of economic activity and are worried about the effect of its closure on their town. The barracks provides both direct and indirect employment by generating a demand for local goods and services. The soldiers and their families are an integral part of the fabric of life in Cavan. The uncertainty which the Minister has allowed to develop is a cause of concern for the local community and, in particular, the personnel based in Dún Uí Néill. Their families outlined to me at the public meeting, my clinics and by telephone their worries regarding relocation of the Cavan personnel and the additional financial burden that would ensue. Deputy O’Reilly and Senator Wilson accompanied me to last night’s meeting and Deputies Heather Humphreys and Conlan were also represented.

The pivotal location of Dún Uí Néill is clear on maps of the Border area. Three barracks are located along our long land Border, namely, Finner Camp in County Donegal in the north west, Dún Uí Néill in the centre and Aiken Barracks in Dundalk on the east coast. It is clear that a barracks is needed in the central Border area.

Apart from the difficulties associated with the Troubles, the Army also worked alongside officials from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Garda and other statutory agencies to limit the spread of foot and mouth disease and BSE. We value the major contribution played by the Army in that national effort. Our security forces ensured the successful implementation of a sophisticated and comprehensive programme that minimised disruption to the agriculture and food sector. Stopping the spread of disease from the neighbouring jurisdiction was of the utmost importance to protect the hard earned and well deserved reputation of our food industry. That reputation is key to our success in exporting food and drink products to 163 countries worldwide.

It is simplistic to say that soldiers can be moved when operational needs arise. That should only be necessary when the work undertaken is short in duration. For longer undertakings accommodation and other facilities are needed. If barracks are closed, which I hope will not happen, where will the relocated soldiers be accommodated? My understanding from speaking to individuals closely associated with the Defence Forces is that alternative accommodation is lacking should the Government proceed with closing the facilities named in the motion. I hope the Minister can assure us there will be no such closures.