Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I am seeking an update from the Minister of State regarding the reopening of the Garda station in Ballinspittle. On page 101 of the programme for Government, there is a commitment to a pilot scheme for the reopening of some of the Garda stations closed in the last few years. In this regard, there are six stations listed for reopening, one of which is my constituency in Cork South-West, namely, Ballinspittle Garda station. The general public and the community welcome the proposed reopening of this Garda station. The community had been seeking this for some time and when the announcement was made, it was a great relief to all concerned.

As the Minister of State will be aware, Ballinspittle is a thriving little village, with a busy rural hinterland. It also has a unique tourism trade, with some fantastic beaches that are really busy in the summer. This level of activity is one of key reasons the people of Ballinspittle and the surrounding areas sought the reopening of this Garda station. Also, the community is concerned that because Ballinspittle is a coastal village any throughput of yachts or other vessels could be carrying contraband, as we witnessed during the week in relation to a vessel detained in Kinsale harbour. When will this Garda station reopen in order that the community will have access to a facility and Garda with whom they could raise concerns regarding such issues should they arise? Also, the reopening of this station might be one of the reasons such vessels would not come to that part of the world? I hope that the Minister of State can provide me with an update on the re-opening of this Garda station.