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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Dec 1947

Vol. 109 No. 5

Committee on Finance. - Garda Síochána (Acquisition of Sites and Retention of Premises) Bill, 1947—Second Stage.

In regard to this Bill, a Chinn Comhairle, I would like to say that a serious situation has arisen as regards premises held by the Commissioners of Public Works on short term tenancies or leases as Garda Síochána stations. There are approximately 200 stations held on yearly tenancies terminable for the most part on three to six months' notice by the landlord. There are also over 40 stations held on leases with less than three years to run. The big increase in the letting and sale values of house property has given rise to demands by landlords of station premises for higher rents or recovery of possession. In most of these cases the demands have been settled by negotiation. In a few cases where the station could not be closed and no alternative accommodation was available, rents which were undoubtedly exorbitant had to be agreed to. The remaining cases are those in which negotiations have failed completely, and there is every likelihood that the number of such cases will grow. In their negotiations the Commissioners of Public Works did not exclude the question of purchase where the station building seemed suitable for buying.

A few of the particularly difficult cases have been solved by commandeering the premises under the powers conferred by Article 38 of the Emergency Powers Order, 1939, as continued by the Supplies and Services (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1946. But it is felt that the problem should be dealt with directly and specifically — hence this Bill.

The acquisition of sites for new stations is another aspect of the problem of providing accommodation for the Garda Síochána. Occasionally, for one reason or another the Commissioners of Public Works find it very hard to procure a site for a station. They do not like to seek powers of compulsory acquisition and still less would they like to invoke the powers, if granted. They are satisfied, however, that, in existing conditions, and especially having regard to the extensive building programme for new Garda stations, the grant of such powers to them might serve a useful purpose, if only as a background to negotiations with an unreasonable party, or as an aid to overcoming defects in title which sometimes prevent the acquisition of suitable property.

The need for building houses for married members of the Garda Síochána was forced on the Department's notice over 12 years ago. The difficulties of married men in finding accommodation when transferred to new centres were then serious enough but during the last five years they have become extreme. The Garda administrative machine is badly hampered by the position and, during the emergency, it was decided that a scheme for building houses for married members at all centres where they were considered necessary should be prepared and that the work, which would be spread over a number of years, should be put in hands as soon as circumstances permitted after the emergency. One big obstacle to the smooth progress of the scheme will, as in the case of new stations, be the acquisition of sites. The opportunity presented by the introduction of this Bill has been taken to provide for the compulsory acquisition of sites where necessary.

I think that these are the main points in connection with the Bill. I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time. I have no objection to the remaining stages being taken now.

Question put and agreed to.
Agreed to take the remaining stages now.
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