Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Kelly's first question was on why the sergeant gave a letter of comfort in respect of the €160,000 worth of ammunition. As the Deputy is aware, I am not the person involved on a day-to-day basis in assessing what is going on in An Garda Síochána. However, he and I are aware that a protected disclosure has been made in respect of the issue that he raised as well as many associated issues. They are being assessed and appraised and will be determined. If there was any failure on the part of the sergeant or other individuals not to ensure there was value for money from An Garda Síochána, that will be exposed. I will have no difficulty then in going to the Commissioner and saying that it is an issue that needs to be taken into account by him as the Accounting Officer.

The second question the Deputy asked related to asbestos in Garda stations. I thank him for raising it last week. I went back and asked for and read the report. I will give the Deputy my overview of what is contained in the report and what has happened since then. As the Deputy said, the State Claims Agency completed a review of asbestos in Garda buildings in late 2016. The review prioritised 12 stations that the OPW, in conjunction with the Garda, needed to address. The OPW resurveyed the 12 stations in early 2017. I am informed that, having reviewed the updated reports and registers, the OPW was satisfied that works to remove asbestos were not necessary at that time. In all 12 cases, there was either no asbestos detected, it had already been removed or they had been given the status of "manage in situ", to be removed when or if works are planned that may disturb the asbestos. This approach is consistent with appropriate asbestos management and practice.