Mr. John Barrett:

I had the opportunity of visiting Sligo for a considerable amount of time this week. It is commendable that this committee faces the challenge of making best use of public funds. What is being done in Sligo now is that the remedial works on the station have been planned and committed. Matters are out to tender, with tenders to be back on 6 December for considerable remedial works. We had discussions with the Garda Representative Association, GRA, on Friday 17 November which were focused on ensuring the greatest good for the greatest number and making certain that the works in the station were focused on bringing the cells in the Sligo station back into functioning order. The lockers and member facilities are to be improved dramatically. Congestion in the station will be addressed and alleviated. The focus is on ensuring that the scarce resources available are targeted to make the greatest impact.

The position of the assistant commissioner for the northern region has been that priority be given to works on the station, which is the very point the Deputy raised and which has caused some tension. There is a proposal that he and the chief superintendent would decamp to an alternative station at a cost of €750,000. The cost of fixing the station is €1.25 million, and he has quite properly, in my view, decided that a policy of the greatest good to the greatest number should apply and so the station is to be fixed. My colleague, Mr. Seán Murphy, has outlined with the OPW a programme of work which would see the entire ground floor of the Sligo station, including the refurbishment of the cells, back in use by 30 September 2018.

I would like to commend the Deputy for his constant commitment to seeking an appropriate site. I understand that there is potential, working with the local authority, of gaining a 14 acre site at the Summerhill College roundabout. It is ideal, given the confluence of roads, from an access-egress perspective. The matter has been close to the Deputy's heart. There is a requirement to consider the needs of the region for an appropriate station. There are people working in that station at the minute. I believe this matter has been amplified to suit certain agendas. Mr. Reilly's report is not the only one in existence. There is also an OPW report, which Mr. Murphy will deal with in a moment. There is a commitment to dealing with the remedial issues. It is a very real and time-bound commitment. It is costed and makes the best use of taxpayers' funds. There is a longer-term requirement, independent of that, to ensure that Sligo has the station that it needs and that the region is serviced appropriately. Work is continuing in parallel, with Assistant Commissioner Barry O'Brien leading on it. There are many areas where there is an absolute commonality of approach between the Garda associations, the civilian trade unions and Garda management on this. There is an issue, but I believe that there are a certain amount of other contaminants involved which lead to the unfortunate events of last Monday.