Donegal Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

"Government refusal to reverse barracks closure a serious blow to North Donegal"- Sinn Féin

Published: 19 December, 2008

"Government refusal to reverse barracks closure a serious blow to North Donegal"- Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin's candidate for next year's council elections in the Letterkenny/ Milford Electoral Area, Mick Quinn has described the refusal by the Government to reverse their decision to close both Lifford and Rockhill Barracks as a serious blow for North Donegal.

Mick Quinn said:

"There is no economic justification for closing both Rockhill and Lifford army barracks. The removal of both barracks equates to a 12 million euro loss to the North Donegal economy at a time when 30 new people are signing on across the county every day. The Government must keep an army barracks open North of the Gap and all 260 existing personnel must be retained".

He continued:

"It has already been established that Rockhill barracks is not in the ownership of the Ministry of Defence or the OPW so there is no profit from the sale to be accrued in this case. This like many of the other Government budget decisions was clearly ill thought out and rushed".

"While my party has welcomed the concerns expressed by the local Fianna Fáil elected representatives on this issue, quite frankly, concerns are not enough. As members of the dominant Government party, they share responsibility for the impact of all of these cutbacks on the ground here in Donegal".

"To date North Donegal has not seen one of the thousands of decentralised Government jobs. Indeed, it now looks like we will actually see them taken away in the two army barracks. The neglect continues unabated.

He concluded:

"I commend the campaign committee and the hundreds of local people who have come out in support of the campaign at the public meeting and rally. Already thousands have signed a petition to keep at least one barracks. The Government and particularly, our local Fianna Fáil representatives must listen and act accordingly".

ENDS Tel Mick @ 086 2219703