Seanad debates

Wednesday, 16 April 2003

Central Mental Hospital: Motion.

 

Senator O'Rourke has tabled an amendment to the motion. The property in Lad Lane has been recognised as the first property that the Minister of State is going to put on the market. The amendment to my motion supports the proposal by the Minister of State to use funds raised by the sale of the Office of Public Works property at Lad Lane for a list of what appear to be quite worthy programmes. Why was there no discussion among other Members with regard to where we thought that money could best be spent? I am sure that the National Educational Psychology Service needs money for a regional office to expand its service, but I do not know that it is more worthy than the cause I put forward tonight. Senator O'Rourke's amendment refers to "the purchase of sites for the Garda building programme to accelerate the provision of new Garda stations across the country". We have already heard that various Garda stations are going to be sold. Would it not be possible to use the money from some of those sales to finance the provision of the new stations to which the amendment refers in order that funding can be provided for projects which some of the rest of us think are important? I feel that very narrow criteria are being used to consider how the money should be spent and that my suggestion is as good as any other. The Minister of State has earmarked Lad Lane for this, but I suggest that we should raise money for a new Central Mental Hospital. Senators Feighan, Mansergh and Quinn may each have projects to which they would prefer the money was given. We are all entitled to further discussions regarding how these moneys are being spent.

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