Many soldiers stationed in Renmore Barracks are natives of Munster and have a “legitimate ambition to return and serve in or close to their native place”, but the high cost of renting in Galway is also a major factor in this.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil Galway City East candidate, Alan Cheevers, who is calling on the Government to “make greater efforts” to support our Defence Forces personnel. He also noted that soldiers who were contracted after 1994 do not have security of employment. “This affects their ability get a mortgage and home loans and this is unacceptable,” he said.
Mr Cheevers commented that the Dun Ui Mhaoiliosa Barracks has “contributed to the social, sporting and community fabric” of Galway and the region, and he noted that soldiers stationed in Renmore “have served with distinction at home and overseas” on peace keeping missions.
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is also the Minister for Defence, and Mr Cheevers pointed out that c€140 million has gone unspent in the Defence Forces over the last five years. “Instead of fighting for every penny he can, the minister is happy to return more than €90 million to the Exchequer,” he said. “Morale is at an all-time low, and the Government must support our Defence Forces.”
