Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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My final question is linked to the acquisition of property. It was interesting that the Minister of State referred to the acquisition of sites for Garda stations. He said one needs to move when properties come on the market instead of regretting it for the rest of one'S life. Obviously the OPW screwed up royally when it did not purchase the Garda Síochána regional headquarters at Harcourt Square, the nerve centre of the Garda Síochána, given that the annual rent is €5 million. It went on the market under the control of NAMA and was sold at a low cost. There is an attempt to evict the Garda at the end of their lease. In 2013, we called on the OPW to purchase that office block but the then Minister said it would be inappropriate for him to comment. Did the OPW ever consider purchasing the office block? More important, have we a contingency for the 800 Garda personnel currently working in that office block? I understand that a long-term site may be identified in Kilmainham that could cost anything up to €60 million. Will he confirm the figures that have been in the public domain? What will happen in the short term, because I understand an application for planning permission has not been lodged for the Kilmainham site? Will he outline the steps that will be taken to activate that site? What will happen if the court case fails and the REIT that owns Harcourt Square secures the eviction of the OPW when the four leases come to an end in the middle of this year?