Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of the new Garda station for Clonmel. This issue has been going on for more than 50 years. I have been raising it for 16 years since I was elected to the Dáil. We now have a site, planning and design for a splendid new Garda station, but for some strange reason - I believe there is a window of opportunity now - it has been bundled with another Garda station, which we have no problem with, and with the children's court project, which is a totally different vehicle. There is a window at the moment for us to separate or unbundle it from the children's court, which would delay it for another few years. There is a chance of progress if we can get that taken out and have the public private partnership, PPP, only for Garda stations and not complicate it with the children's court, which is a different vehicle, as I said. Will the Taoiseach intervene with the Minister for Justice immediately? It is my understanding that it is at a delicate stage at present. We may be able to make progress if we can get this funding segregated again and get progress for the station. The Taoiseach has seen it. It is Dickensian. I do not know how anyone works in it. It is just not fit for purpose.

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