Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Deputy is not grandstanding and I know other Deputies in the House raised the matter also. I get the sense from Deputies that local members of the Garda are clearly very concerned about this. The issue for the Government is that the Garda Commissioner has made a decision in respect of the new operating model and in light of this has made a decision on the capital works across three areas in that one division. That seems to be the challenge and the difficulty.

They are now concentrating on an upgrade of the existing facility in Sligo and Garda estate management is conducting an operational review. They are requesting that the contract to refurbish be amended to provide two additional cells. Works are proposed to redevelop the remainder of the station and these works are currently being assessed between Garda estate management, local management and the Office of Public Works. As the scope of the work has not yet been finalised, we are not in a position to provide timelines or costs but we will keep Deputies informed of the progress.

See this speech in context