Minister won't be drawn on reopening Cavan's army barracks

The Defence Minister says he won't be drawn into speculation over whether the former army barracks in Cavan town should be reopened.

Minister Simon Coveney was responding to a question on if the former Dún Uí Neill barracks on the Dublin Road could be reopened due to the ongoing security concerns following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith described the barracks as a "modern facility" and asked if it would be reopened.

Closed in 2012 following a restructuring of the Defence Forces operations during the recession, the barracks lay idle but part of it is now in use by Cavan Institute and the wider CMETB.

Minister Coveney highlighted the recent report from the Commission on the Defence Forces which examined the organisation and its structures. It made a number of recommendations, including that the structures of the organisation's units be examined, something highlighted by the Minister.

"One of the Report's recommendations is that the structure of the Army be reviewed and, in that context, the disposition of Units across the Defence Forces may be considered."

However, he said there are a number of discussions to be held following the publication of the report and he would not be drawn into speculation on the outcomes.

"As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me to engage in speculative discussion on this matter prior to completion of the ongoing process, Government approval of any proposed plan of action, and completion of any subsequent reviews that may ensue."