asked the Minister for Finance when he intends to sanction the building of the new Garda station at Ballyheigue, County Kerry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballyheigue (Kerry) Garda Station.
6.
It is hoped to be in a position to invite tenders for a new Garda station at Ballyheigue, County Kerry, early in 1988 with a view to placing a contract as soon as possible thereafter, funds permitting, taking into account the priorities attaching to other similar requirements and demands.
I welcome that reply. Will the Minister tell us whether a Garda residence is going to be built with the Garda station? Let me point out that the local people are very anxious that a Garda residence be built. As the Minister of State is probably aware, Ballyheigue is a very busy seaside resort and it is important to have a garda in residence in the station during the summer period especially.
It is not envisaged that a Garda residence would be built. The present thinking is that it is important to provide adequate facilities for the gardaí to carry out their normal duties in an area such as Ballyheigue. In modern times members of the Force have preferred to be in a position to either purchase or build their own houses and in line with the Government decision on that matter it is not proposed in this case to build a Garda residence.
(Limerick East): I presume the Minister of State is aware of the priority list kept by the Department of Justice on the building of Garda stations. In that context, will the Minister of State inform the House as to where Ballyheigue Garda station is on that list, how far down the list has the commencement of the building of Garda stations now gone and how many Garda stations does the Minister of State expect to be built in 1988?
The question relates to Ballyheigue and I cannot allow a widening of the question.
(Limerick East): It is not a widening of the question.
Only Ballyheigue is in order.
I am aware of the priority list in the Department of Justice but not being involved with that Department I do not have access to that priority list.
(Limerick East): That is a cod. Of course you have.
I have not got it. It is not available to me at this stage.
(Limerick East): You can only sanction the building of Garda stations which are on the list.
I cannot say what position Ballyheigue is at on the list. All I can say is that the Garda building programme will continue.
The Deputy's former Department must have put it down the list.
(Limerick East): Funds are released by the Minister of State's Department to build according to an agreed priority list. The Minister of State is now giving a commitment that Ballyheigue will be sanctioned. He will not be in a position to build it if it is too far down the list. Of course he has the information but he is not giving it.
I have not got the information requested by the Deputy. If I had the information I would give it to the House. I would not deny the House any information which I have got. I told Deputy Deenihan quite clearly that no Garda residence would be built in Ballyheigue. That information is available. I have no priority listing and I have no idea as to what place on the priority list Ballyheigue is at but that is a matter for the Department of Justice. We respond to the demands of the Department of Justice and to their priorities and based on those priorities Ballyheigue will be reached as quickly as possible.
(Limerick East): You should not be let into this House with such a paucity of information. You should tell your officials you are not being properly briefed——
This is leading to argument.
(Limerick East):——because the whole thing is contingent on the priority list. It is disgraceful that the Minister of State should come into this House without that information.
He is not the Minister for Justice yet.