asked the Minister for Justice when work will commence on the provision of a new Garda station at Castlerea, County Roscommon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Stations.
53.
It is intended to build a new station at Castlerea as soon as the more pressing cases on the Garda building programme have been disposed of. I cannot say at this stage when work on the Castlerea project will commence.
54.
asked the Minister for Justice whether there are any proposals before his Department for the building of a new Garda station at Camolin, County Wexford.
55.
asked the Minister for Justice whether there are proposals before his Department for the provision of a Garda station at Coolgreany, County Wexford.
56.
asked the Minister for Justice when it is proposed to erect a new Garda station at Taghmon, County Wexford.
With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 55 and 56 together.
As I have already stated in reply to similar questions, I am engaged in a review of the organisation and distribution of the Garda Síochána. I cannot say at present what the future arrangements will be in particular areas, nor can I indicate where new stations will be provided.
May I take it from the Minister's reply that this is not in anticipation of an adverse reply at the conclusion of the debate on the Estimate for his Department and an announcement that he intends to continue closing rural Garda stations?
Even I cannot anticipate the reply to the debate on the Estimate for my Department. Other people may speak.
57.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the public anxiety caused in the area by the closure of the Puckane Garda station, Nenagh, County Tipperary; and what measures he has implemented to ensure proper policing and security in the district.
At the request of Deputy Fanning I have already met a deputation of local residents in connection with the closing of this station.
The position is that the Office of Public Works reported some months ago that the station premises had deteriorated to such an extent that they would have to be evacuated. The only alternative accommodation offered was considered unsuitable.
Additionally, as the landlord had indicated that he intended to commence demolishing the premises on 25th November, there was no alternative to an immediate closing of the station.
The Commissioner has arranged, as an interim measure, to have Puckane policed from Nenagh, which is only five miles away and is a district headquarters. In addition to a daily cycle patrol, the Puckane area will also receive attention from the official motor and motor-cycle patrols at Nenagh. The Commissioner is satisfied that under these arrangements the Puckane area, which is virtually free of crime and has a population of 1,000 will be policed effectively.