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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Feb 1962

Vol. 193 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Slane Garda Station.

124.

asked the Minister for justice if he is aware that there have not been adequate heating or cooking facilities in Slane Garda Station for the past two years; and what steps have been taken to remedy the position.

The Commissioners of Public Works have informed me that arrangements were made last December for the installation at this station of a new cooking range to which a boiler would later be fitted but that, due to circumstances outside their control, these arrangements could not be carried out.

Slane is one of a number of garda stations listed for early replacement. A site for the erection of a new station was acquired in January of this year and the Commissioners of Public Works expect that the new building can be provided within the next eighteen months. The garda personnel at Slane have permission to reside out of station and, taking all the circumstances into consideration, expenditure now on improvements to the existing premises, estimated at £500, would not be warranted.

Is the Minister aware that this state of affairs has existed in Slane Garda station for over two years and that I have in my possession two letters emanating from his Department dated November and December of this year, stating that work would be carried out before Christmas? Would the Minister now state to which Christmas he refers?

To which "November and December" is the Deputy referring?

The Deputy knows full well there is a long history attached to this matter and that the promise I gave him was given in good faith but that for a number of reasons it was not able to be adhered to. I think the solution I am now offering the Deputy—a completely new Garda station—is the best solution possible.

Would the Minister not agree something should be done for the Garda sergeant and his wife who live in the station, so that they can have some reasonable comfort during the next 18 months? Is it not a fact that the whole trouble was caused because officials of the Board of Works and the people living in the station did not see eye to eye?

I agree, but who was in the wrong is a different matter.

You cannot blame somebody for something an official says.

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