Search for army premises in Castlebar warped logic – Calleary ^Featured

The Minister for Defence Alan Shatter confirmed yesterday that the Department of Defence has taken out an ad in a local Cavan paper this week searching for a premises to train members of the Reserve Defence Forces. 

It has since emerged that a similar situation is happening in Mullingar, Clonmel and Castlebar, with the Department also advertising for locations.

“This is just confirmation of the Government’s warped logic in shutting down key army facilities around the country,” said Deputy Calleary.

“One the one hand, Minister Shatter has moved to close the barracks in Cavan, Mullingar, Clonmel and Castlebar while on the other he is searching for another army property in the same towns. People are struggling to see the logic in this.

Senseless policy

“In the case of Dún Úi Neill barracks in Cavan, it was built in the early 1990s and is the most modern army barracks in Europe.  It is a state-of-the-art purpose built facility that would provide a perfect training ground for members of the Defence Forces and the Reserve Defence Forces.

"Similarly, the barracks in Mullingar, Clonmel and Castlebar have been used by the army for decades and already have all the facilities needed for training.

“The cost of these closures is far greater than any savings that can be achieved.  This latest twist shows just how senseless the Government’s barracks closure policy is,” said Deputy Calleary.

Responding to Deputy Calleary Friday, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, said that it was "simply absurd to contend that there is an economic argument for keeping a full barracks open to cater for a Reserve Unit."

Said Minister Shatter: "Following the Government’s decision to further consolidate Defence Forces personnel into fewer locations, four military barracks - Clonmel, Cavan, Mullingar and Castlebar - will close on 30th March 2012.  Military personnel at present occupied on security and support functions within these installations will be released for operational duties leading to an efficieny gain of around €5 million p.a.  In addition, there will be direct cash savings of approximately €1.3 m arising from utilities, maintenance and security duties allowances in the four barracks.  

Normal arrangement

"The Reserve Defence Forces in each barracks will be provided with alternative rented accommodation prior to the closure of the barracks.  This is a normal arrangement for Reserve Units in other locations around the country and consistent with how the previous Government dealt with the matter. 

"The Department has 10 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 forty premises.

"On this basis, it is simply absurd to contend that there is an 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."