Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I wish to raise the issue of the Garda station in Galbally. The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, recently announced that certain older Garda stations will be sold off and replaced with more modern buildings. One of the stations selected was that at Galbally, which was built in the 1930s. Galbally station differs from some of those which are ex-RIC barracks and was extensively refurbished in the past. It is still used as a Garda station, but the accommodation quarters are no longer in use.

Galbally community council has been proactive and one of the areas that concerns it relates to certain instances in 2001 when there was a spate of robberies in the area. These probably brought a great deal of attention and focus on Galbally Garda station and in recent times there was a violent robbery at the local post office. The council wishes to know when the existing building will be sold, when the new Garda station is likely to be in place and if accommodation will be provided at the new station. The council considers the latter as essential to enable a garda to be based in the area.

Galbally station is near the Tipperary border and is in the administration of the Garda in that county. The Bruff gardaí only patrol to a place called Ballylanders, which is approximately two and a half miles away. If the Galbally station was under the jurisdiction of the Bruff gardaí, there would be a possibility of a patrol car operating in the area thereabouts. Although this is not part of the original matter I put down, I wish to voice my concerns.

The Galbally community council took an initiative in recent times to put in place a security system outside the community centre which was later extended to the areas around the church and post office. The system cost €7,000 and appears to be providing effective security coverage. Following the recent robbery, gardaí were able to refer to video tapes from the closed circuit TV system. The community council wants to co-exist in perfect harmony with gardaí in the locality. It is concerned, however, about what will happen in the future and wants to ensure that accommodation will be provided at the new Garda station so that a garda will be based there. I thank the Minister for his attendance.