Defence forces relocation criticised

FINE GAEL defence spokesman Billy Timmins said the cost of acquiring a 4.3-acre site in Newbridge, Co Kildare, for the decentralisation of the army and defence headquarters could run into millions, even though there were 766 acres available for use in the nearby Curragh camp.

The Department of Defence is set to relocate to a site owned by Kildare County Council in Newbridge, while the Defence Forces headquarters is moving to the Curragh.

“Spending millions on a site for decentralisation, when hundreds of acres are already available in the same area, just shows how little thought has been put into this decentralisation process,” Mr Timmins said.