Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed with the response. I really feel Sligo should be a divisional headquarters. The headquartering of the armed support unit in Tubbercurry or Ballymote, or elsewhere around Sligo, is very important.

I come from a family and tradition that are very proud of the men and women of An Garda Síochána. My grandfather was one of the first gardaí. We have always had great respect for the Garda. The Garda saw very difficult times and held the line for democracy in this country. That is something I will never forget. Respect is evident among the people in Sligo, the west in general and the country as a whole.

I feel the decision made was not made in the best interests of Sligo or the region. Again, I ask the Commissioner and the Garda, for which I have great respect, to revisit this matter and consider the available resources. I have met representatives from the Garda Representative Association, many gardaí and many of the stakeholders. I listen to what is said on the ground and genuinely believe we should have had a new state-of-the-art Garda station at Caltragh, maybe working with the National Ambulance Service. It would have made great sense.

As the only Government Deputy in a constituency covering Sligo, Leitrim, north Roscommon and south Donegal, I believe the Government would be able to get the required funding. It is not that the Minister can talk to the Commissioner but I ask that the matter be revisited because I do not believe funding for a new Garda barracks should be an issue, albeit that a lot of money has been made available for upgrading.

The Minister is very welcome to Sligo. I invite him to visit Sligo Garda station. If he is looking for directions, it is across from my constituency office, on Pearse Road.

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