Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I appreciate that. On the capital plan, which is under section 68, investment in capital is hugely important to the people who are served by our police force. I have just a few questions and comments. In terms of the capital plan, I take the point that the best resources are the people who are employed as members of An Garda Síochána. Yet, here I am assuming we are talking about buildings. Quite some time ago, two Garda stations were closed in Kildare in Ballitore and Ballymore Eustace. I would like the opportunity for Garda stations to go back into those two villages in a capital plan. That is hugely important.

Also, I am assuming there is expenditure here for squad cars and Garda cars. There is no Garda car in Rathangan, for example. Last Halloween there was a horrific situation where a certain demographic - I do not want to name the particular age group - gathered from different villages. Because there is only one bridge going into the town, many people were harassed in a horrific way. It took quite some time to be able to get gardaí there, because we do not have enough Garda cars in the area.

I also ask about 68(12), which states: "The Garda Commissioner may, with the approval of the Board and subject to the prior consent of the Minister, amend a capital plan." I found that a little unusual. I would like to understand from the Minister why it would be the Garda Commissioner amending the plan. I had assumed there would be a situation where there would be consultation and that the Minister would then go through the normal procedures to amend it.