Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wanted to speak about the capital plan. As many of my colleagues have outlined, the issue of Garda stations is of great importance to us all across the country. My colleague, Senator Chambers, referred to how the rural areas are being left behind. They feel that the resources are being allocated to the bigger urban areas. I am in one of those bigger urban areas, namely, the greater Dublin area. We very much feel that resources are not being allocated where the population is. I live in one of the fastest-growing parts of the country. I will name one area of Donabate, which has 12,000 people and no Garda station. Many other big towns have part-time Garda stations. We desperately need new Garda stations. It was great to see the Minister opening a new Garda station in Dublin Port last month, which is to be welcomed. Other areas, such as the Docklands have outlined their great need.

I will make specific reference to 68(11), which states: "The Minister may at any time direct the Garda Commissioner to amend a capital plan." I ask the Minister to outline under which circumstances she would envisage the Minister for Justice asking the Garda Commissioner to outline the plan. Would it, for example, be on the foot of a motion of either House of the Oireachtas on a particular need? Is it the case that the Minister or any of her successors can take the political judgment that a Garda station is needed in a particular area? Is that how she envisages it? Will it be done on a collaborative basis with the community?

The areas that are absorbing housing, such as in north County Dublin, are doing so with open arms, but we really do need the infrastructure. Garda stations are a vital piece of infrastructure. In the greater Dublin area, there is a complete lack of Garda stations and it is creating a very unsafe environment for people. It is making people feel aggrieved about the level of development, when they do not see vital things, such as public transport and Garda stations, coming alongside the housing. I would like the Minister to outline on what basis she or any other Minister would intervene in directing the Garda Commissioner to amend the capital plan. Would any Members of this House, the Dáil, the local area, the county council, the councillors or any of the local authorities have a say in that? How would that work in reality?