Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Minister of State. This is perhaps the fifth or sixth occasion I have raised this issue. To build a new Garda station in Sligo is an urgent matter. Every couple of months a colleague of mine, Councillor Marie Casserly, contacts me to keep it on the agenda because this is a long saga. We need to get it sorted. I have raised it so many times with various Ministers, the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach. In fact, the last Minister for Justice to visit Sligo Garda station was the current Taoiseach, Deputy Simon Harris. I hope he remembers that visit where he was able to see at first hand that Sligo Garda station is completely unfit for purpose on many different levels. The station is cramped, overcrowded and the working conditions are unacceptable for many of the staff. The station is not compliant with fire regulations and some offices have no natural light or ventilation. There are no parking facilities. There is parking for 20 staff but there are 150 in the building. Staff retention, particularly of administrative staff, is an issue because of the poor working conditions. The limited office space and the very limited workspace is hugely challenging for everyone who works in that building. Except for the public office, the building is not accessible for people with disabilities. The plumbing and heating systems are archaic. They were built in the 1840s.

Should the Minister of State wish to read about this, there is a long saga of promises made and broken regarding the construction of a new Garda station in Sligo. There was a walk-out in 2016 and 2017 due to the frustration of those who work in the station at the really poor working conditions and at promises made that were not honoured.

In 2019, the OPW stated that Sligo Garda station was not fit for purpose. That was five years ago and a commitment was given to develop a new regional and divisional headquarters in Caltragh, in Sligo, on a site that was purchased by the OPW for €1.3 million. Money was allocated in the capital plan to build the station. However, in early 2020, to everybody's absolute dismay, the project was pulped. The Garda Commissioner did not support the building of a new station because of the new Garda operating model. It was decided to refurbish the Garda station. That was a crazy decision. In hindsight, that opinion has been shown to be correct. It was a huge waste of money. We now have new Garda divisions and we are told that the Commissioner supports the building of a new Garda station and so does the Minister.

Therefore, after a long saga and much to-ing and fro-ing, I ask the Minister of State this morning, where are we with those plans? Five years ago, the money was ring-fenced.

Where is it now and will it go ahead? As I said, the Garda Commissioner and the Minister are on board but the OPW has to agree that it is going to go ahead with this and confirm that there is a plan in place. A lot of people are very anxious about this and have asked me to raise it. I am hopeful that after many interventions in this House, including written and oral questions and conversations with various Ministers, we can finally get some clarity on what is happening.

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