Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. I acknowledge my colleague, Deputy Nolan, who has expressed a good deal of interest in this area as well. I appreciate the Minister's response and I understand the position. I stated at the meeting in Carraroe that I was unsure of the commitment of the manager and the management team to this area and whether they would be able to come up with the running costs and day-to-day costs of any new station as well as the wages of any retained fire service personnel. I understand where the Minister is coming from in terms of the county council having to show commitment in its budget.

The Minister is right with regard to the report issued. The option of building a new station was examined. Several advantages were stated, including that the unit would be located in the western environs area and would give a quicker response and that public expectation would probably be met. Disadvantages included that it would be difficult to withdraw once a decision was made and that it would take a considerable amount of time to become functional. However, people have waited this long and need to see the station built as a matter of urgency. Another issue related to the considerable cost implications, both initially and on an ongoing basis.

I stated earlier that Údarás na Gaeltachta is willing to engage with the county council and the Department with respect to investigating the possibility of using some of the old buildings that it has in the area, a welcome initiative and something that should be considered. When an application comes I urge the Minister to engage positively with the county council and Údarás na Gaeltachta and local community groups to provide the service.

The Minister is right. I am unsure why the service has not been provided heretofore. There is an obvious gap in the provision of fire service within the county and it is difficult to justify. I referred to the journey times of up to an hour and a half or one hour and 36 minutes from Lettermullen to Galway city on a poor road with a high historical level of accidents.

I thank the Minister for his response and I urge him to engage with the county council positively and proactively to determine whether we can find a solution to ensure that the provision of a fire service is achieved in as fast a time as possible.

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