Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join the speakers who expressed sympathy following the horror and human tragedy in Orlando.

The specific issue I wish to raise is Mr. Justice O'Higgins's report. The report, which is excellent, has generated an enormous amount of coverage on all national media, including social media. That is reasonable given that it is a huge and important report. One element, however, that received no coverage is very important for Garda morale, well-being and, indeed, for the provision of a Garda service. The Garda station is identified by Mr. Justice O'Higgins as being an old RIC station from 1870, to which a flat roofed area was added around 1970. The judge uses terms in the report such as "not fit for purpose", "deplorable conditions" and "not sound" to provide Garda services. He says that while it is not the only reason there were problems, it was a huge contributing factor. It is a relevant issue for the Leader to address. Perhaps he would get a response from the relevant Ministers on what will be done about accommodation for the Bailieborough gardaí.

In the previous Oireachtas I lobbied the relevant Ministers - the former Deputy Shatter, Deputy Fitzgerald and Deputy Harris - intensely. I am aware that a site has been acquired for a new Garda station and that the legal procedures on that are ongoing at present. Will the Leader find out whether that process has concluded and if there is a timeframe for when the new station for Bailieborough gardaí will be built?It is a regional headquarters and this is an important element of it. I will provide the Leader with the relevant pages of the O'Higgins report. The report chronicles all the deplorable conditions in five pages, including the various rooms that are not there and reception areas. I do not propose to read this into the record. I will hand it to the Leader later on. The situation is chronic and immediate action is required. I need to know that there is a commitment that the legalities regarding acquiring the site, which I gather is imminent, are have been concluded and that there is a timeframe for building the station.