Minister fails to clarify Custume Barracks' future

The continued status of Athlone's Custume Barracks as headquarters of the 4th Western Brigade remains in doubt this week, after Defence Minister Alan Shatter told the Dáil he would await a report on a planned shake-up of Army brigades before making a decision on the matter. Currently there are three Army brigades, headquartered in Cork, Dublin and Athlone, but the Minister is planning to reduce this number to two. He was questioned about the issue by Deputy Nicky McFadden in the Dáil last Thursday. The local TD said the possible removal of Athlone's brigade headquarter status was "a major source of worry as it could result in the loss of certain specialised units". Minister Shatter replied that "no further barracks closures" were planned and the permanent membership of the Defence Forces would be maintained at 9,500 personnel. However, he failed to ease concerns about the possible loss of brigade headquarter status in Athlone. The Minister said he had asked for a report on the matter from the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, and he wouldn't be able to answer detailed questions until he received it. Deputy McFadden described this response as "very disappointing." She had started the discussion by outlining the history of Custume Barracks and stating that an additional 300 troops would be based in Athlone this year due to closures of barracks in Cavan and Mullingar. "I fully accept that a reorganisation of the Defence Forces must take place in order to retain troop levels at a sustainable level and to release people in administration to the front line," she said. "(But) I urge the Minister, in the strongest terms possible, to ensure the 4th Western Brigade is retained as part of the new two brigade structure." ,Minister Shatter replied that the reduction in the number of Army brigades from three to two was "a significant undertaking" which would be a "milestone in the history of the Defence Forces". He said "a range of alternative approaches" had to be considered and this would evoke "passionate" debate. The Minister said he had not issued directions to the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General, and he didn't intend to do so as this would "limit their scope to bring forward a range of options". Deputy McFadden replied: "That was a very disappointing answer. I understand the Minister needs to maintain the Defence Forces at 9,500 personnel but with so many new troops coming to the western brigade, I strongly urge him to consider holding on to it as the second brigade." Minister Shatter countered: "I would have hoped the Deputy would have regarded what I said as a hopeful answer for the future. "We had a three brigade structure in the Defence Forces at a time when we had more than 15,000 troops. "In the context of where we now stand, with the number at 9,500, to ensure the maximum efficiencies, economies of scale and the delivery of service, it no longer makes any sense to retain a three brigade structure." The Minister concluded by saying the change from three brigades to two required "a very considered overview" and he would be receiving advice from experts in this area. "I have no wish to in any way interfere with or pre-empt that process but, ultimately, it will be a matter for decision. I am sure it will be a matter to be discussed into the future," he said. Reacting to the Minister's comments this week, Athlone councillor Paul Hogan said any downgrading of Custume Barracks would have "catastrophic implications" for the town. "I am calling on all local TDs to vehemently oppose any reduction in services in Athlone. A clear message needs to be sent that Athlone will not stand by and see the oldest operating barracks in Europe downgraded. For this, we need our elected TD's to represent the people," he said.