John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when his Department sold Harcourt Terrace Garda Station; when the Garda station will have to be vacated for the current owners who wish to develop same; his plans to relocate the gardaí working in Harcourt Terrace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30798/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Responsibility for the purchase or sale of land or buildings on behalf of the State is vested in the Office of Public Works and my Department is not involved in such matters.

The Government decided in late 2004 to bring forward the site at Harcourt Terrace, involving initially the former butter testing station, and subsequently the Garda station and film censor's office, as a land swap option under the affordable housing initiative and to offer these lands by public tender to realise the full value to the State. These matters are being progressed primarily by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in consultation with the Office of Public Works and my Department.

The matter of relocating the gardaí currently working at Harcourt Terrace Garda station will be addressed in consultation with the Garda Commissioner in the context of timescales for the development of that part of the site on which the station is situated. In that regard, I understand that vacant possession of that part of the site will not arise for some time yet.