(Carlow-Kilkenny): Tá mé fíor bhuíoch go bhfuil deis agam labhairt faoi áras na nGardaí i Muine Bheag. It is a reasonably long story. In November l995 I contacted the then Minister for Justice, Deputy Nora Owen, who acknowledged my representations. In November l996 the Department of Justice decided to allocate £60,000 for renovations in the Garda station. The renovations included the incorporation of the married quarters into the Garda station, to provide space on the ground floor for an interview room, sergeant's office and a proper public reception area. Extra space was to be provided on the first floor for a rest room, ladies toilet and shower facilities. The kitchen, recreation and locker rooms, store, male toilet and shower facilities and the electrical system were to be upgraded as well as providing oil fired central heating. This proposal went to tender under the then Minister, Deputy Owen.
I wrote to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Donoghue, in September to which I received an acknowledgement on 1 October l997. I received a letter on 31 October l997 which stated:
I refer to your letter of 24 September l997 regarding Bagenalstown Garda Station. As you are aware it is proposed to refurbish the Garda Station at Muine Bheag. Tenders were invited earlier in the year but only one contractor responded. As the price was well in excess of the expected costs it was decided to defer the project. It is hoped that the contract will be retendered and placed, perhaps, later in the year l997 or in l998.
I tabled a parliamentary question for written reply asking the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding renovations to Muine Bheag Garda Station. There is potential in the Minister's office for a comedy writer. The reply stated that it is proposed to refurbish the Garda Station at Muine Bheag. That decision was made in December l996. I did not ask for a history lesson. History, in all its aspects is a thing of the past, I wanted to deal with the present and the future. One third of the reply I received is a history note. The reply states that it is understood that the Office of Public Works intends to seek tenders with a view to placing a contract for the work this year. That has been understood by the people of Muine Bheag for almost two years and by the Garda who go beyond the call of duty in turning up for work in accommodation which is not up to the standard of any factory, and could walk out. The building is an eyesore in the town and the tidy towns committee has always regarded it as such.
That reply, which stated it is proposed to refurbish the Garda station, and it is understood that the Office of Public Works intend to seek tenders, was an insult to any democratically elected TD. A commitment was given two years ago. That reply is not information, it is rubbish. It is a generalisation that says I should not bother somebody in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I object to that type of reply. It is not good enough to give it to any Member and it certainly does not befit the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and his Department. I do not wish to belittle the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, whose attendance I appreciate. I ask that serious treatment be given to my request because the people of Muine Bheag and I are getting fed up of the condition of the Garda station.
