Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 348: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will outline the saga to date in regard to the provision of the proposed new Garda station at Leixlip, County Kildare; when the proposals was first approved in principle; the extent and number of attempts to implement the proposal in the interim; the state of progress with the proposal; when it is expected the station will be commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16588/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A new Garda station in Leixlip is much needed, and I am anxious that it be provided without undue delay. Projects such as this can be slow to progress for several, including negotiations by the Office of Public Works for the purchase of sites, the planning process etc. In this case, it was necessary for the Office of Public Works to source and secure a suitable site in Leixlip, which took time, and I was concerned that the Garda authorities be afforded the time to consider fully and decide on their accommodation requirements. In that connection, the Deputy will be aware from an answer to a parliamentary question by the Minister of State at the Department of Finance — Reference No. 12926/04 of 5 May 2004 — that a revised brief of requirements for Leixlip was forwarded by my Department to that office last March, and that a revised architectural sketch scheme is being prepared there and will be submitted to my Department for approval by July 2004. When the revised sketch scheme is approved by the Garda authorities the project can then proceed to the planning stage.

Accordingly, I cannot say when the project might be finalised, but I can assure the Deputy that it will be progressed as quickly as overall priorities within the Garda building programme and the availability of financial and other resources allow.