Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Rural Independent Group, I too wish all the staff of the Houses well, from the Garda Síochána outside and inside through to Peter Finnegan. I also thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and Ceann Comhairle for their forbearance. It was not easy.

The Clonmel Garda station project is still languishing. We have a lovely site, planning permission and a wonderful design. Another Deputy raised the Sligo Garda station project during the week. Sligo, Clonakilty and Clonmel Garda station projects were in a public private partnership, PPP, package. Sligo has fallen off the partnership. We cannot allow Clonmel Garda station to fall off this public private partnership because we need to get a proper station for Superintendent William Leahy, former superintendent John Courtney and all the excellent gardaí. Clonmel is the biggest inland town in the country and has such a Dickensian Garda station. I believe the Tánaiste visited it. The project is badly needed. The problem is so bad that the issue has been raised here for 60 years. The station is not fit for purpose for gardaí to work in it or for the public. We have to get funding, get builders on site and get a new Garda station in Clonmel. It is badly needed.

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