Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Garda Síochána presumably has an input in regard to the stations to be retained, including, for example, Stepaside Garda station, which it has been reported in the media recently is to be re-opened. I presume that properties were not put on the market if there was any prospect of their being re-opened. What dialogue took place between An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice and Equality regarding the Garda stations to be sold? Some of the stations were sold for very little because at the time of sale the property market was at its lowest. The Garda Síochána now has to purchase new accommodation to meet additional intake. I would have expected there to have been an element of future-proofing on the part of An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice and Equality in respect of the sale of Garda stations. Can the Commissioner outline what happened?