asked the Minister for Justice if he will state whether it is the intention to transfer the office of superintendent of the Gárda Síochána from Cahirciveen to Waterville; and, if so, if he will state what are the reasons for such a change, and in what way local interests were consulted before such a change was decided upon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Gárda Office Transfer.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The main reason is that it has not been found possible to find a house for the superintendent in Cahirciveen. As regards local interests, I think there is some misapprehension as to what the change involves. I have seen a protest from residents of Cahirciveen from which it would appear that they are under the impression that the entire station party is being transferred. In fact only the superintendent and two Gárda clerks, both unmarried, are going to Waterville.
Do I understand that because the superintendent cannot find a house in Cahirciveen, the whole of his office and all the work connected with it is going to be transferred to Waterville?
Mr. Boland
That is the main reason. The Deputy will admit that the superintendent should have a house. He simply cannot get one in Cahirciveen and has been there for over 18 months without a house.
Are local interests in Cahirciveen to be put in the position that the facilities they had at that office, which was in their midst for decades past, are to be withdrawn, and that the office is to be transferred to Waterville because a residence cannot be found?
Mr. Boland
As far as I can gather from the Commissioner, the local interests will not be affected, or very little —unless one considers the hotel-keepers with whom the superintendent and the Gárdaí stay. As far as the ordinary interests are concerned there will be very little change.
It only means the transfer of the superintendent and the two clerks? Is the actual work of the district headquarters office to be left in Cahirciveen?
Mr. Boland
As far as it is necessary for the superintendent to be residing there, it will not be, but the station party will not be interfered with. It is simply a question of the superintendent travelling a distance of eight or nine miles. As far as I am informed by the Commissioner who is responsible, this is not going to affect local interests to any extent worth talking about.
Does the Minister understand that, as well as having the opinion of the Commissioner on the matter, there are local interests whose opinions should be consulted and, if the office has not already been changed, will the Minister investigate the situation again and cause inquiry to be made, with a view to seeing whether it would not be a greater economy to provide the superintendent with travelling facilities to take him from his home in Waterville to Cahirciveen, rather than impose on the residents in Cahirciveen the necessity of travelling to Waterville whenever they have to do business at the district office?
Mr. Boland
As I understand the position, very little inconvenience will be caused and I do not think there is any necessity to interfere with the Commissioner's plans. He has gone into the whole matter and considers that the change will interfere very little with the local interests in Cahirciveen; and I am quite satisfied that that is so.