Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for being so magnanimous in allowing our Deputy Leader to take my place on the second matter. I am very disappointed at the failure of the Minister for Justice to come in here to address one of the most serious problems that has arisen in my constituency.
On 1 July 1996 the Garda station in Doneraile was transferred to an office in the community hall measuring ten square feet by eight square feet. It is unbelievable that this could have happened. There is inadequate heating and lighting in that building. There is no privacy as voices can be heard through the slab walls which are not sound proof. There is a sergeant and one garda in the area and to date this year, of 24 reported crimes 16 have been successfully solved, an outstanding achievement in poor working conditions.
The transfer took place because the original Garda station was in a state of decay and the conditions posed a threat to the health of those working there. The garda and sergeant would like to return to that building as soon as possible. The undue delay in having the building restored is unreasonable and the whole community is dissatisfied with the present position.
The old station was a Georgian streetscape. It was used as an RIC barracks many years ago and Doneraile was served well at that time by the Royal Irish Constabulary. The building was originally part of the Doneraile estate. Since the 1920s when this great State was founded — we all identify with that great era — there was a sergeant and four gardaí in Doneraile, but the numbers were gradually reduced.
I sympathise with the Minister of State who has done an excellent job for Cork — there is no Minister from Cork in the Cabinet — and I admire him for that. I wish him many days of success. The population served by the Doneraile Garda station is 2,000. There are 3,000 acres of forestry in the area, which must be properly policed. The area covers 15 square miles by nine square miles, including two villages and a town, with four hotels, a golf course, a bank and seven public houses. I appeal to the Minister of State to use his influence in Government to solve this problem.
A question was put down recently to the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht about the Georgian status of the Doneraile Garda station. If law and order is to be upheld good working conditions must be maintained. I ask the Minister to meet the needs of Doneraile, which is a historic place. Canon Sheehan, the great literary writer who wrote many great novels, was from that area. The Minister should give a commitment that before the next general election a new facility will be put in place so that the Garda Síochána can uphold the law and protect the citizens of my constituency.
The Minister for Justice has often failed to come into the House to reply to these issues. If it was not for Fianna Fáil there would be no law and order. Deputy O'Donoghue and other Front Bench Deputies have put approximately 11 Bills through the House to protect the citizens and we see the fruits of those daily in our courts.
