Speech
Speech by Tánaiste at the opening of the new Cadet School Headquarters and Transport Storage Facility, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare
By: Minister for Defence; Simon Harris
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By: Minister for Defence; Simon Harris
Published on
Last updated on
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Good morning, Chief of Staff, Assistant Secretary Maguire, General Officer Commanding of the Defence Forces Training Centre, members of the Defence Forces, members of the Department of Defence, local Oireachtas members and public representatives, ladies and gentlemen.
Cuireann sé an-áthas orm a bheith anseo faraibh inniu ag Campa an Churraigh. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil libh as glacadh le mo chuairt ionas gur féidir liom bualadh libh in bhur dtimpeallacht oibre agus an dul chun cinn go dtí seo ar an infheistíocht bonneagair anseo sa Champa a fheiceáil.
It gives me great pleasure to be here with you today at the Curragh Camp. I would like to thank you for accommodating my visit so that I may meet you in your working environment and see the progress to date on the infrastructure investment here in the Camp.
As the newly appointed Minister for Defence, I want to assure you that I am committed to improving the quality of facilities provided to our Defence Forces personnel.
Today, I am particularly pleased to be able to demonstrate further evidence of the government’s commitment to enhance and modernise Defence Forces infrastructure by performing the official opening of the Cadet School Headquarters here in the Defence Forces Training Centre.
This new, purpose-built facility replaces a temporary pre-fab, providing the built infrastructure necessary to support the induction and training of the future leaders of the Defence Forces.
This new facility ensures that the leaders of tomorrow’s Defence Forces will enjoy facilities that will ensure they reach their full potential as newly commissioned officers as they embark on what we all hope will be very fulfilling careers. The new school headquarters will also provide the staff with facilities appropriate for the training and development of officer cadets.
The Cadet School has a long and proud tradition having been founded in 1928. It is the cornerstone of military leadership in this country. Since its inception, over 3,000 successful students gain commissioned rank in the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF), underscoring its pivotal role in shaping the nation’s military leadership.
Its mission is to develop leaders of character, prepare them for command authority and skills to ensure operational effectiveness.
The Cadet School is an integral part of the Defence Forces Training Centre, which, of course, also includes a number of other schools, including the Command & Staff School, Infantry School and the United Nations Training School Ireland (UNTSI).
It is particularly fitting that these facilities are being officially opened as the 100th Cadet Class approach their commissioning next month, an event to which I am looking forward.
That class and today’s junior class – the 101st Cadet Class - are the first two classes to have benefited from these new facilities. While commanding troops is a skill that must be taught in the field, the theory, preparation, debrief, organization and management of cadet training requires suitable facilities.
With the new Cadet School, I am pleased that these cadets and future classes have the excellent facilities that they and their instructors deserve.
Of course, many of those who are members of the 100th or 101st Cadet Classes will return over the coming years to attend courses in one of more of those schools and their careers develop and some will likely return to this new Cadet School as instructors.
The Cadet School motto, ‘An Ród So Romham’, is translated into English as ‘This Road Before Me’. The investment in this Cadet School, elsewhere in the Camp and across the country highlights the new opportunities, capabilities and infrastructure that these cadets, and indeed the Defence Forces as a whole, can look forward to in the years to come.
As part of my first visit to the Defence Forces Training Centre, I had the opportunity earlier today to open the New Vehicle Garaging Facility for the Transport Group of the Defence Forces Training Centre.
This facility will provide modern, fit-for-purpose secure storage for up to 40 soft-top heavy trucks. The new garaging facility will protect these vehicles from the elements which can erode their operational effectiveness. Providing secure indoor garaging will prolong their useful working lives.
A particular feature of this new building is the installation of a number of solar panels on the south-facing roof surfaces, which will provide the possibility for renewable electricity generation which can be distributed throughout the electrical network across the DFTC.
This is a further illustration of the Defence Forces’ commitment to greater sustainability and has the potential to generate significant savings over time.
The construction of both these facilities is part of the government’s wider continued commitment to enhancing and modernising Defence Forces infrastructure. Since the inception of the Infrastructure Development Plan we have invested €17.7 million in the Defence Forces Training Centre, out of a total national investment of €170 million over the last five years.
As you will be aware, right across all our military installations there are major capital projects underway to improve the working and living conditions of our personnel. This year we are providing an allocation of €62.5 million for capital investment and property maintenance costs. This is the highest level of annual investment to-date – a record allocation.
I would like to thank all those who worked extremely hard to bring about the successful delivery and conclusion of this project. I particularly want to thank the personnel in the Directorate of Engineering for their hard work on this project, and members of the Department of Defence involved in the project.
I’d also like to thank Duggan Lynch Ltd on the fantastic work they’ve done constructing the new Cadet School Headquarters and doing it to an extremely high standard. I would also like to Taylor Mc Carney as the appointed Employers Representative and the Consultant Design Team for their work.
I’d also like to thank Robert Quinn Ltd. on the excellent job they’ve done constructing the New Garaging Facility and, again, doing it to an extremely high standard.
Thank you for your time and attention.