Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that response. I welcome the news on the Stradbally station. I raised it with his predecessor on a number of occasions in the Dáil. That is very welcome; it was badly needed. I would say to the Minister of State by way of being helpful that there is a design for Stradbally. The plan is done. It is a similar size town and a similar size area. The Minister of State can see the stages it goes through. He needs to talk to the Secretary General of the Department about this. Civil servants sometimes get bogged down in things like the appointment of design consultants and submissions of preliminary design. We can take that out straight away if we can use the same plans. Those plans can be used - copy and paste - and if the design team is looking for money for it, it will be cheaper than starting again with a blank canvas.

The Minister of State mentioned how the state of readiness is a factor. This is ready to go. The site is there, it is a brilliant site, and it needs to be prioritised. There is a new programme for 2026 to 2030. If we have to wait for that, I ask that this project be front-loaded into it. There is a huge parking area on the site where the new building will go. There is ample parking, and it provides for that drive in and drive through aspect so that people do not have to reverse fire tenders out. They just drive straight out and go. The Minister of State knows that quick responses with fire are very important. I am, therefore, asking him to front-load and push this project. I know Ministers will always have shopping lists but it did not get in the last time. I am telling the Minister of State it is ready to go. We have the site and the plan, a dedicated fire crew and great equipment, so let us get on with it. I am asking the Minister of State to go for this, get it into the next round of funding and have it front-loaded.

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