asked the Minister for Justice whether a site has yet been secured for the erection of the new Garda station at Kinnegad, County Westmeath; and how the matter now stands.

The Commissioners of Public Works have informed me that negotiations for the purchase of the site, which has been selected for the erection of a new station at this centre, have not yet been completed.

When are they likely to be completed? I understand this has been going on for a long time.

As the Deputy knows, it was a question of finding a suitable site and acquiring it. That often involves considerable delay. However, with the active cooperation of my colleague, the Parliamentary Secretary in charge of the Office of Public Works, every effort is now being made to expedite the matter.

Could the Minister say if the Board of Works are negotiating with a specific landowner or are they still just roving about?

The negotiations are to acquire a specific site. The Deputy knows, of course, that I gave this information to Deputy Crinion in reply to a question some time ago.