Shatter accused of hiding behind top brass on army jobs
Fianna Fáil’s finance spokesman Michael McGrath accused Minister Alan Shatter last night of failing to allay troops’ fears after updating Oireachtas members on his Defence Forces restructuring plan.
The figures Mr Shatter presented run contrary to what officers have told soldiers on the ground.
“The minister is engaging in spin and hiding behind the leadership of the army,” Mr McGrath said.
Against the backdrop of the State’s collapsed finances, Mr Shatter announced a major restructuring of the Defence Forces last July, which will see its numbers slashed from 11,500 to 9,500 by 2015.
The Collins Barracks-based 4th Infantry Battalion is to be disbanded, with personnel numbers cut by 64 from 1,020 to 956.
However, earlier this month top brass at Collins Barracks advised frontline troops that up to 250 of them would be transferred to barracks in Limerick and Kilkenny between September and November.
Mr McGrath called on the minister again to clarify the situation urgently.
He said the minister’s letter this week merely restates the plans and figures unveiled in July.
“His statement this week runs contrary to briefings being given to soldiers at the barracks,” he said.
“He has in no way allayed the concerns of army personnel on the ground.”
He called on Government representatives in Cork to fight to secure the soldiers’ jobs.
In his letter, Mr Shatter said the implementation of the reorganisation plan is “designed to limit as far as possible the dislocation of personnel”.
He said Defence Forces members whose units are being moved will have the opportunity to either move with their unit or to take up new appointments within or close to their existing locations. He said there will be no question of forcing staff to change location.
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