andMr. Fitzpatrick (Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that Garda Divisional Headquarters in Monaghan are totally unsuitable; and if he will take steps to have the postion remedied forthwith.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Monaghan Garda Headquarters.
28.
(Clare): A sketch scheme for a new Garda Divisional Headquarters at Monaghan has been submitted to the Department of Justice for approval. As soon as departmental approval and the agreement of the local authority is obtained detailed planning will proceed with a view to inviting tenders as early as possible.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister in a position to give us any idea, in terms of years, when tenders may be accepted and the new building completed?
(Clare): We are awaiting approval from the Department of Justice. There will not be any undue delay on the part of the Office of Public Works.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that there is gross overcrowding in this building, which was built sometime in the last century or perhaps in the century before, for a barrack party of less than 20? Is the Minister aware that there are now between 80 and 90 there now, that there are no toilets on the ground floor with the exception of the ladies' toilet, that the cells for prisoners are situated beside the public office and the entrance door and that the urine comes out under the cell doors? Is the Minister aware that there are a number of special units there without a place to house them in except portable huts outside? Does the Minister agree that this is a shocking state of affairs and that it will be perhaps five or six years before a new building will have been erected? Would he look into it?
(Clare): I can assure the Deputy that the Office of Public Works will cause no delay when they get the approval of the Department of Justice.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I did not expect the Office of Public Works to obstruct it, but will the Minister not agree that with the best will in the world and having regard to the speed at which they work, it will be several years before the building will be ready? Does he not agree it is necessary at least to erect temporary buildings?
(Clare): I would not agree that it will take several years. Sketch plans from the Office of Public Works are already with the Department of Justice awaiting approval. A meeting was held between us, the Garda and the Department of Justice in April and all requirements were agreed.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister look at his notes and tell me when this new building was first mooted?
(Clare): Approval was originally given to erect a Garda divisional headquarters there in 1974.
(Cavan-Monaghan): That is nearly ten years ago. It is not obvious it will be several more years before this headquarters will be built? Is the Minister aware that the barrack party there have been reduced by ten in recent months, perhaps to reduce overcrowding? If it is, is it not a poor effort?
(Clare): I am not personally aware of the conditions of this barracks. This was first approved in 1974.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is that not a disgrace?
(Clare): Disgrace or not, when we came in last April and when I got responsibility for the Board of Works, the necessary meeting was held with Justice and the Garda and agreement was reached on the requirements. Since then, a sketch plan has been forwarded by the Office of Public Works to the Department of Justice for approval.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Are sketch plans not followed by working drawings, are working drawings not followed by a bill of quantities, is the bill of quantities not followed by contract documents, are contract tenders not then invited——
(Clare): Does the Deputy mean that there are ways to short-cut the expenditure of public moneys?
(Cavan-Monaghan): I do not, but because of the red tape that prevails in the Board of Works and elsewhere, it will be a very long time before anything is done. I appreciate that and I want the Minister to put up temporary buildings there to relieve the absurd conditions or to make them tolerable.
(Clare): I will gladly arrange to have it done if Justice requests us to do it.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that I put the question down to the Minister for Justice, the man who should be responsible — I readily agree with the Minister on that — and he pushed it over to the Board of Works who now want to push it back to him?