Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have lost count of how many times I have raised this subject in this House, at home and in local media. It relates to Clonmel Garda station. I look forward to the Minister's response. We are finally at a point where we have a solution and this project can progress. I have raised it so often because of the number of delays to the Garda station project and, most important, to support the gardaí who work in the Clonmel district. We have a fine site in Kickham Barracks to build a new, modern Garda station for all the staff. This would be done in conjunction with an expansion of Kickham Barracks, with which the Minister will be familiar having visited the site many times in his role as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and Minister for Justice. The one part that was not progressing at the speed we would like was Clonmel Garda station. As everyone in the area knows, that was because the project is part of a public private partnership, PPP, project with Macroom Garda station and the children's court in Dublin. It was the latter that was holding up all three projects. Clonmel Garda station was ready to go but could not progress because it was in that group. It was a stumbling block and it has taken some time to figure out how to get over it.

Most people's concern is that the conditions in Clonmel Garda station are probably the worst in the country. It is a dated building that cannot be improved and does not fit the requirements of a modern-day unit. We have amazing gardaí working in Clonmel but they do not have a facility that is fit for purpose. That has an impact on morale, given the challenges they face with antisocial behaviour and drugs. What happens now could dramatically change that. The station is led by the new superintendent, Kieran Ruane and his team, and prior to that it was led by the Superintendent Willie Leahy who retired just weeks ago.

I raise this matter in the broader context of protecting our communities. Given the antisocial behaviour of recent years, we in rural areas want a Garda force that is high in numbers, has the equipment it deserves and has a building that is fit for purpose to ensure we have stronger, safer communities across the country and our citizens are protected. I hope the Minister's response will be that this is exactly what he will provide the people of Clonmel and County Tipperary.