Closure of army barracks ‘could save millions and strengthen peacekeeping’

THE head of the Department of Defence outlined savings of millions of euro and ambitions to strengthen peacekeeping missions abroad through the closure of army barracks.

Department secretary general Michael Howard yesterday explained how 100 soldiers on an average salary of €50,000 redeployed to frontline duty could save €5m.

But members the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) expressed concern that cuts in the Defence Forces could affect foreign missions.