Vol. 964 Wednesday, No. 2 24 January 2018 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 24/01/2018A00100Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 138 24/01/2018A00200Priority Questions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 138 24/01/2018A00250Army Barracks� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 138 24/01/2018B00600Air Corps � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 141 24/01/2018C00350Defence Forces Representative Organisations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 143 24/01/2018D00250Defence Forces Personnel � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 145 24/01/2018E00100Defence Forces Properties � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 147 24/01/2018E01600Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 150 24/01/2018E01700Naval Service Operations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 150 24/01/2018H00400Defence Forces Medicinal Products� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 155 24/01/2018H01200Industrial Relations� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 157 24/01/2018J00550Protected Disclosures � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 159 24/01/2018K00400Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 161 24/01/2018N00400Questions on Promised Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 169 24/01/2018Q01600Social Welfare (Payment Order) (Amendment) Bill 2018: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 178 24/01/2018Q03200Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2018: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 180 24/01/2018R00800Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 181 24/01/2018X00100Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 182 24/01/2018X00150Broadband Service Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 182 24/01/2018Z00050Road Safety � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 185 24/01/2018AA00800Mental Health Services Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 188 24/01/2018BB00450Water Services Infrastructure � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 190 24/01/2018CC02500Shortage of Teachers: Motion [Private Members]� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 195 24/01/2018PP00400Business of Dáil: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 225 24/01/2018PP00700Companies (Statutory Audits) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 226 24/01/2018ZZ00450Companies (Statutory Audits) Bill 2017: Referral to Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 247 24/01/2018ZZ00600Report of the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (Resumed) � � � � � 247 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 24 Eanáir 2018 Wednesday, 24 January 2018 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10�30 a�m� Paidir. Prayer. 24/01/2018A00100Ceisteanna - Questions 24/01/2018A00200Priority Questions 24/01/2018A00250Army Barracks 24/01/2018A003001� Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to im- prove the physical environment and living conditions in Army barracks across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter� [3627/18] 24/01/2018A00400Deputy Lisa Chambers: What are the plans of the Minister of State and his Department in this regard to ensure that our soldiers are living in appropriate circumstances? 24/01/2018A00500Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): In order to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capability to deliver on all of the roles assigned by the Gov- ernment, my Department is committed to the development and improvement of the physical environment and living conditions in military barracks� This is achieved through the Defence Forces built infrastructure programme, which is designed to modernise and enhance training, operational and accommodation facilities for Defence Forces personnel� It is based on opera- tional requirements and is compiled on a priority needs basis by my Department in conjunction with the military authorities� The capital element of the programme focuses mainly on infrastructure projects, including the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of facilities� In any one year, the pro- gramme provides for new project starts and the continuation of building projects already under way� At the end of 2017, projects worth some €35 million were at various stages of imple- mentation ranging from design to construction� Some €14�2 million has been provided for the delivery of these projects in 2018� 138 24 January 2018 In addition to major capital projects, ongoing works are required under the programme to ensure the upkeep and repair of barracks and other military facilities� An amount of approxi- mately €9 million has been provided for these works in 2018� In recent years, the infrastructure programme included a number of projects to provide for accommodation requirements identified by the military authorities. Projects currently under way or planned in respect of military accommodation include significant upgrades and refur- bishment of existing facilities at the Defence Forces training centre, Cathal Brugha Barracks and Casement Aerodrome, at a cost of €3�1 million, €1�8 million and €3 million, respectively� The White Paper on Defence identified the need to develop a rolling five-year plan for the provision of future Defence Forces built infrastructure requirements, taking into account the capability priority needs of the Defence Forces. The plan is expected to be finalised in the com- ing months� The basis for the White Paper project was the completion of a comprehensive infrastructure needs assessment. Arising from this, a number of additional projects specifically for the provi- sion of accommodation for military personnel have been proposed� Subject to further assess- ment and prioritisation of military capability requirements, it is expected that a number of these will be advanced in the first iteration of the new rolling five-year plan. I am satisfied that the best possible military facilities are available, taking into account the priorities and available resources. I am also satisfied that any improvement to military facilities that has been identified as necessary has been provided for. 24/01/2018A00600Deputy Lisa Chambers: On the Government’s obligation to those serving in the Defence Forces, it is imperative that their physical environment and living conditions be up to standard� The Minister of State should be able to walk into any barracks or living quarters in the country and say he would be happy to sleep or work there� From personal experience of having slept and worked in many of those barracks, I can tell him that he would not be able to do that today� It is not acceptable that it is okay for members of the Defence Forces to live and work in condi- tions that are not acceptable to ordinary, everyday citizens� The Minister of State mentioned that the built infrastructure programme is based on opera- tional requirements and priority needs� A priority need is for one’s workplace not to be cold, damp, falling apart or falling into dereliction� However, that is the situation in many barracks and living quarters� I suggest that the Minister of State initiate a review of the structures and living quarters in every barracks to ensure that he is satisfied, as I do not believe that he actually would be satisfied by their current condition. Will he initiate that review of the living condi- tions and working environment of Defence Forces personnel? 24/01/2018A00700Deputy Paul Kehoe: We have set out a rolling plan� I agree with the Deputy that I should be able to accept the living conditions of members of the Defence Forces for myself, but she will understand that, from 2008 until the past two or three years, there was little investment in some of those living quarters� I wish to give
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