Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Feighan referred to Moylurg Rockingham DAC. He also mentioned that a castle in Castleisland, County Kerry, had been offered for sale at a modest guide price of €90,000. I agree with him that it would be eminently sensible for the Office of Public Works to buy the property.

Senator Gallagher raised an issue related to An Garda Síochána. Notwithstanding the fact that it is late in the day in the deployment to different places of 200 new Garda recruits, I suggest the Senator has selective memory, given that his own party did something similar when in government. He made the point that young gardaí would be discommoded and I believe the issue needs to be addressed. However, it is an operational matter, for which Assistant Commissioner Twomey has responsibility. The Garda Commissioner and his management team have to balance it with the need for higher visibility of members the force at this time of year in policing traffic on roads. Such policing is welcome. It is important that, as legislators, we stand against drink driving and with the people in ensuring the roads are safe. Last Monday I attended a meeting of the joint policing committee of Cork County Council, at which the Garda chief superintendent was very concerned about the increase in the incidence of traffic accidents and drink driving. Gardaí will be on leave between 5 and 17 January for working at this time of year. The new recruits will then go to the stations to which they have been allocated. While I accept that the Garda was very late in announcing its decision, I welcome what the Garda Commissioner is doing.

Senator Byrne mentioned the European Globalisation Fund and highlighted its importance. Senator Colm Burke was very involved with the Dell workers when he was a Member of the European Parliament. The fund should be utilised.