Shatter told to ‘come clean’ over restructuring

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has called on Alan Shatter to “come clean” on restructuring plans for the Defence Forces.

Mr Martin claimed the defence minister was keeping those affected “in the dark” and that the entire process was being conducted in an “underhanded manner”.

His comments followed an Irish Examiner report that the restructuring plans include disbanding the Cork-based 4th Infantry Battalion of the Southern Brigade.

This newspaper has since learned that the Dublin-based 2th and 5th Infantry Battalions of the Eastern Brigade are set to be amalgamated under the proposals.

Mr Shatter refused to answer a series of questions put to his department yesterday.

“The minister has stated that he will be making no further comments on the re-organisation pending its completion. A final report is due by the end of July and an announcement will be made in due course,” said the department.

Mr Martin, who represents Cork South Central, said he would fight any effort to disband the 4th Infantry Battalion.

“[It] is the largest unit in the Southern Brigade. This would do irreplaceable damage to the army in the Cork and Munster region. With the recent adverse weather conditions in Cork, not just last week but during the freezing conditions of the last couple of winters and the floods of 2009, we have seen the army provide an invaluable public service.

“The army plays a huge role in disaster relief and disbanding the 4th Infantry Battalion robs the army of that capacity.”

Sources in the Defence Forces have also criticised the manner in which Mr Shatter is proceeding with the overhaul.

In particular, they have questioned why the restructuring is taking place ahead of the preparation of a green paper on the Defence Forces.

A green paper is a document published by government to initiate debate. It in turn leads to a white paper, outlining specific proposals for change.

Mr Shatter is due to publish the green paper on the Defence Forces this year and the white paper next year.

However, in last December’s budgetary process, he announced a fundamental restructuring of the forces, with the number of brigades being reduced from three to two, which is now set to have a knock-on effect on the battalions they contain.

“When the minister took up office, he announced a green paper process. The proper place for the discussion and debate is within that,” said one Defence Forces source. “But they have predetermined the process by doing this. In some ways, it’s a negation of democracy.”

Mr Shatter had previously argued it was not necessary to wait for the green paper as the Government had already decided to reduce the overall numbers in the Defence Forces to 9,500.

Army units

* The infantry are the foot soldiers of an army, trained to be the first line of defence in war situations, but most commonly seen in public supporting Garda escorts of cash and prisoners.

* The army’s Southern Brigade comprises three barracks — headquarters at Collins Barracks, Cork; Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick; and Stephen’s Barracks, Kilkenny. Each is home to an infantry battalion.

* The 4th Infantry Battalion at Collins Barracks has an authorised staffing of 477 but the strength may be nearer to 400 at present.

* The other units at Collins Barracks include less than 100 cavalry, an artillery unit of about 150 personnel, a 30-strong engineering unit, and more than 300 members of logistics, other supports, and various smaller units.

* The Southern Brigade — one of three, along with the Eastern and Western Brigades — is responsible for military operations in Carlow, Clare, Cork, Kilkenny, Kerry, Laois, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wexford.