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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 5

Adjournment Debate. - Garda Stations.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting my topic.

I wish to go through my record on raising the issue of Muff Garda station. It is a small village station about three miles from Derry and the village is a big gateway into Inishowen. The village of Muff has historically been small but a huge housing expansion there means it is now a town rather than a village and accordingly, the facilities for local gardaí need to be of an appropriate standard. The building they were housed in was condemned and approximately 20 years ago it was at number 14 on the priority list of the Office of Public Works and the Garda. I have tracked what has happened regarding this small but very important station.

I raised the issue of Muff Garda station on 4 April 2000 and was told there were plans for a new basic unit station for Muff but that there was no real decision on the date for commencement of work. By 14 June 2000 the then Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, confirmed that Muff featured on the current Garda building programme priority list as requiring a new station to support the policing requirements of the area. At that stage it was intended to demolish the existing station and to construct a new station on the site. The Minister included the proviso that he did not know how long it would take; he did not know when he could build a new station.

On 9 January 2001 the Minister wrote again to me and stated the Commissioners of Public Works had entered consultations with Donegal County Council regarding a proposal to provide alternative accommodation for the gardaí at a particular residence in Muff. By 9 January 2001 they had gone from demolishing the existing building and rebuilding to a move to another building in the village.

On 22 May 2001 I was told that temporary accommodation had been provided for the gardaí because they had threatened not to stay in Muff. The situation was dire at that point. I was also told that negotiations were being undertaken by the Office of Public Works to secure a suitable and permanent new location for the gardaí in the town. The negotiations continued through May to July and by October 2001 those negotiations had been completed. The Office of Public Works was then attending to the legal requirements necessary to conclude matters.

In November 2001 I was told the Office of Public Works expected to be in a position shortly to sign a contract to allow the gardaí to move from their temporary accommodation to their new permanent location within the town; the Office of Public Works would sign the contract and proceed as soon as certain necessary legal requirements were concluded.

In June 2002 I was told that the Office of Public Works had signed the contract for the purchase of alternative accommodation for the Garda station and was awaiting completion of the transaction by the Chief State Solicitor's office.

In October 2002 I was told by the Office of Public Works that the legal formalities necessary to secure the alternative accommodation for the Garda station referred to by me were completed. Moreover I was informed that the Office of Public Works was asked to carry out the required alterations to the building to facilitate an early occupation by the gardaí.

It is with great surprise then that on 13 February 2003 I was told that the Commission of Public Works regards Muff Garda station as No. 3 on the Garda priority programme and that it is hoped to have a contractor on site in the latter half of 2003.

There is patience and there is patience. I understand a house was bought for the purpose of conversion into a Garda station. The process involved was long and arduous as I have shown in the parliamentary question system but if a house was ready to be moved into in October 2002 how are we talking now about putting contractors on site in 2003? I do not understand this and I do not accept it. It is not fair on the gardaí and shows a lack of respect for them from the authorities. It sends out a bad message. I want the gardaí to be visible on the streets but they cannot be on the streets if they do not have an adequate station to work from. I look forward to some clarification of this matter.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The existing station at Muff was in need of major internal and external refurbishment and the Commissioners of Public Works endeavoured to procure suitable premises to be used as alternative accommodation and it was proposed to purchase an existing premises at 3 Dispensary Court, Muff. Contracts were received in February 2001 and protracted negotiations ensued because of the restrictive covenant in the vendor's title restricting its use to that of a dwelling house. It was only by letter dated 5 March 2002 that they were informed of the removal of this stipulation and the matter was then referred to the Chief State Solicitor's office, which advised that the sale was closed on 9 July 2002. In the intervening period between the receipt of the contracts for the property in February 2001 and the acquisition of same in July 2002, the Commissioners of Public Works in accordance with Part XIII of SI 86 of 1994, Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 1994, completed a planning consultation for change of use from a dwelling house to a Garda station.

Upon receipt of a report from the Health and Safety Authority, the station party in Muff Garda station vacated the old station on 16 May 2001. In view of the urgent requirement for temporary accommodation, the Commissioners of Public Works arranged for the immediate installation of a temporary portacabin. The temporary accommodation was put in place on 21 May 2001 and continues to operate as a Garda station to date.

When the purchase of the premises at 3 Dispensary Court was completed, the Commissioners of Public Works agreed a brief of accommodation requirements with the Garda authorities. The preparation of architectural tender invitation documents that will meet with the necessary fire regulations and associated mechanical and electrical tender invitation documents are being prepared at present.

I appreciate the Deputy's concern about what might be construed as a delay but I reiterate that the Commissioners of Public Works have pursued the acquisition of the property to be used as the new station single-mindedly, and when the old station was vacated they immediately put arrangements in hand to house the station party in temporary accommodation.

Members of the Garda occupy in excess of 700 Garda stations and other units of accommodation around the country. Many of these were built before the foundation of the State and were designed for a different era. This extensive resource, while invaluable in guaranteeing the provision of policing services to the community, creates its own unique maintenance and refurbishment demands. Consequently, all Garda accommodation is continually under review by the Commissioners of Public Works in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda authorities to ensure that it meets the operational requirements of the Garda. Where it does not, the necessary works are prioritised by the aforementioned parties with the appropriate degree of urgency to ensure, as far as feasible, the ordered, timely and economically efficient construction or refurbishment of Garda stations as policing requirements demand and overall priorities allow.

I confirm that the Commissioners of Public Works are anxious to expedite the opening of the new Garda station at Muff. In that regard, the Office of Public Works, in conjunction with the other parties involved, in particular the Garda authorities and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, hope to have a contractor on site in the latter half of 2003.

I am aware the Deputy is concerned about the matter and I will convey her concern to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

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