Approval was granted for the proposed building of a new fire station for Clonakilty town, which was announced by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, in 2020. This fire station was supposed to coincide with the building of Kanturk and Macroom fire stations, which are at this stage nearly finished.

The town of Clonakilty had to wait for years for approval of this fire station. It serves a huge population in Clonakilty, Timoleague, Barryroe and Courtmacsherry on one side and Pike and Rosscarbery on the other. The people of Clonakilty and its surrounds, as well as the fire brigade staff, deserve to be treated with some respect. They are sick of announcement after announcement and nothing happening on the ground while other fire station buildings announced at the same time have almost been completed. Can the Minister tell me today why the people of Clonakilty are being treated like second-class citizens by this Government? When will the building of the new fire station commence in Clonakilty?

God help us should a fire take place in Clonakilty. I will make sure to discuss the matter with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and ask him to report back to the Deputy directly on the potential progress of that station.