Penrose at odds with Kenny over cost savings

WILLIE Penrose disputed figures provided by the Taoiseach on the cost savings associated with the closure of Columb Barracks, saying the numbers “don’t stand up”.

Announcing his resignation from the Cabinet yesterday, Mr Penrose accused the Taoiseach of relying on the word of Defence Minister Alan Shatter and not figures provided in the comprehensive spending review which will form the basis for next month’s budget.

Following yesterday’s Cabinet meeting in which it was agreed to close four barracks, in Cavan, Clonmel, Castlebar and Mullingar, Enda Kenny told the Dáil: “The savings involved here would be of the order of €5 million with efficiencies of about €1.3m per year.”