Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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46. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the representations she has made to the OPW in the past six months in an effort to speed up the acquisition of a site for the new Garda station in Bailieborough, County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7677/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Office of Public Works (OPW), working closely with Garda management, has primary responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation and, as Minister, I have no direct role in relation to these matters.

I understand that Garda management and the OPW maintain meet regularly with a view to progressing matters relating to accommodation.

In addition, my Department chairs a working group which monitors progress in relation to the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 which includes provision for the proposed new Garda station at Bailieborough.

In relation to the proposed station, the position remains as outlined in my responses to Parliamentary Questions No. 194 of 17 January 2017 and 128 of 14 February 2017, wherein I indicated that a site has been identified for the proposed new Garda Station and that the OPW is progressing the legal matters relating to the acquisition of the site.