asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the Gárda Síochána have taken forcible possession of the creamery manager's residence in Bansha, Co. Tipperary, and whether the Gárda were acting under the instructions of his Department when they took this action, and, if so, will the Minister make arrangements, in view of the inconvenience to which the manager has been put by reason of the occupation of his house, to secure other accommodation for the Gárda.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - GARDA SIOCHANA BARRACKS (BANSHA).
DOMHNALL O MUIRGHEASA
The words "forcible possession" in the Deputy's question, while technically accurate, might create a false impression. The house was taken over under the Civic Guard (Acquisition of Premises) Act, and the force consisted in a Guard entering through the window and opening the door for the other Guards after the key had been refused.
The house referred to was acquired compulsorily by the Commissioners of Public Works for the accommodation of the Gárda Síochána, their previous quarters being insanitary and dangerous. The occupation of this house is a purely temporary arrangement, and it is intended to proceed immediately with the work of restoring the old Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks as a permanent station for the Gárda. I have given careful consideration to this case, and I am satisfied that the temporary occupation will not cause unreasonable inconvenience to the manager of the creamery, or interfere unduly with the normal working of the creamery. No suitable alternative accommodation is at present available in the district.
Arising out of that reply, will the Minister be able to say what he considers would be "temporary occupation" of the manager's house by the Civic Guard—the approximate date?
I would like the Deputy to address that question to some other Minister. The Board of Works have the responsibility of providing accommodation for the Gárda. I have asked the Board of Works to see that no unnecessary delay takes place in reconstructing the old R.I.C. barracks. I have pointed out that there is a good deal of discontent with the present occupation, and that the question of getting the old barracks restored for permanent occupation by the Gárda is one of extreme urgency. If the Deputy would put down a question to the Minister for Finance he would probably get an estimate of the time it will take.