Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At this stage it is not entirely possible to provide a strict timeframe for the opening of Rush Garda station. It depends on a number of factors, including, for example, the extent of the required refurbishment based on current building regulations. There are also agreed standards and specifications for Garda cell areas and custody suites that may well have to be incorporated into the refurbishment. I acknowledge the importance of the matter for Senator Clifford-Lee and I would be happy to keep her and the House informed of developments. I confirm that detailed work is ongoing in the projects. The technical surveys, an important step, have taken place and they were based on the brief of requirements from An Garda Síochána. The Garda is currently considering the detail of the reports in conjunction with the Office of Public Works and my office has a role to play in monitoring the position and reporting to the House here. I remind the House of the Government's commitment to achieving a progressive increase in Garda numbers over the next number of years and that will involve extra infrastructural developments, including stations. The Garda station at Rush has been approved as one of the areas for the pilot project.

I would be happy to provide the Senator with further information on the timeframe as soon as I am in a position to do so. If I speculated, I am sure the Senator and the House would hold me to it. I am not in a position to do so at this point.