Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, I would like to thank Deputy Mattie McGrath for raising this matter on the Adjournment.

The Deputy will be aware that the provision of new Garda stations and Garda accommodation generally is a matter for the Office of Public Works. The provision of such accommodation is progressed by the Office of Public Works on the basis of priorities established by An Garda Síochána. In that context, capital expenditure on Garda accommodation, including all site purchases and new buildings, and the examination of potential sites for the location of Garda stations, comes under the remit of the Office of Public Works.

The Minister for Justice and Law Reform has been advised that the Office of Public Works has previously examined a number of potential sites in Clonmel with a view to providing a new Garda district headquarters. Unfortunately, none of the sites assessed to date has been deemed suitable for Garda requirements. The Minister has also been informed that the Office of Public Works is continuing to examine all available options for the provision of a Garda station in Clonmel with a view to progressing this matter.

The Minister also understands that in the interim, the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy Mansergh, has recently announced that - as part of a national programme agreed with the Garda authorities covering around 170 stations - three cells each in Tipperary and Cahir Garda stations, and four in Clonmel, are to be refurbished by the OPW over the next 12 months or so.

The Minister is also aware that the Deputy has expressed a strong interest in having a new station built in Clonmel. The Minister supports the project and it will be pursued in the context of the availability of a site which meets the needs of An Garda Síochána, its identified accommodation priorities and in the light of available resources.

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