Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a pleasure to welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I wish to discuss the condition of the Timoleague Garda station. Timoleague is a lovely village in the heart of west Cork. It is a tourism area, but the indigenous population needs to be supported. A key factor in that is the services it receives, be they the post office, shops or the Garda station. A garda lives in the station. It is an important part of the community and we hope that it can be upgraded. We must have such institutions down south, given that they promote those elements that are important for rural communities.

There is a significant tourism element to this Garda station. Courtmacsherry, a prominent tourism town that does well in that regard, is literally down the road. Considerable amenities also attach to the village, for example, long walkways and the abbey. We hope that the Department will consider this station as part of a national redevelopment and invest money in it so that it can be upgraded. It is a key part of the physical and social infrastructure of the area. If we can improve such elements, we can improve the quality of life for people on the ground.

I hope to get a suitable response from the Minister so that I can assure those from Timoleague with whom I have been speaking that their Garda station will be developed.