asked the Minister for Justice why he has downgraded the status of the Garda station at Callan, County Kilkenny.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Callan (Kilkenny) Garda Station.
46.
With my approval, the Commissioner, Garda Síochána has undertaken a revision of the organisational structure of Garda districts throughout the country, and he has recommended to me a number of changes in the interests of the more efficient use of the existing manpower.
The change at Callan station will not reduce in any way the ordinary supervision or patrolling activities of the station party.
Does the Minister not regard the town of Callan as of sufficient importance to warrant a Garda district headquarters?
I think the Deputy is confusing two separate things, the actual policing of an area and the administrative structure of a division. There will be no change whatever in the policing of Callan town and surrounding district. The strength of the station party for all police purposes will be exactly the same. All that has happened is that, in the interests of efficient use of manpower, two districts will be amalgamated administratively, Thomastown and Callan. It is felt these two districts can be amalgamated without any loss of administrative efficiency. Entirely for geographical reasons the new headquarters of the combined district will be in Thomastown.
Was the Minister aware, when giving his approval to this, of the effort of the local people to secure a very large industry for which they collected up to £30,000? That would have made a big difference in the size of Callan in years to come. The Minister has now downgraded it with no hope of improvement in the future. The Minister should reconsider his decision.
This has nothing to do with economic development or with the development of any other sort in a particular area. All that is involved is that the district office, which consists of a superintendent and his clerk, is being moved out of Callan and amalgamated with Thomastown. It has no implications good, bad or indifferent, for economic or any other type of development in the town of Callan.
The Minister must realise that his action has downgraded the status of Callan. We heard the Taoiseach the other day talking about giving status increases to teachers and other people to raise their status. By his action the Minister has definitely reduced the status of Callan as the principal town in county Kilkenny. He may smile, but the people of Callan will not smile when they hear this.
I was overcome by all this nonsense.
It may be nonsense to the Minister but it is not nonsense to the people of the country.
Would Deputy Crotty like to suggest that the new headquarters be transferred to Callan from Thomastown?
I suggest they should be left where they are.
Does Deputy Crotty wish to waste the taxpayers' money?
I would ask the Minister seriously to reconsider his decision. It is a very important matter for the people of Callan.
Do you want it at Callan or Thomastown?
You deal with Cavan; I am well able to deal with Kilkenny.