New Garda station for Sligo
Deputy Harkin again calls for a new Garda station in Sligo, citing the purchased site and changed divisional arrangements. The Minister of State says he will bring the matter to the Minister for Justice and notes station provision is primarily for the Commissioner and OPW.
I again raise the issue of the urgent need to build a new Garda station in Sligo. While I know it is ultimately the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner, nonetheless a site was purchased by the Office of Public Works, OPW, and funding was put in place before the last election to build a station. Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal were all part of the same Garda division. The excuse given was that Letterkenny was now the divisional headquarters. However, another realignment of divisions has taken place, and Sligo-Leitrim is now a division in its own right, with Sligo as its headquarters. There is no impediment to proceeding with the planned and promised new build of a Garda station, with the possible collocation of a new fire station on the site.
I ask the Minister of State to please contact the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, and ask her for her full political support in finally getting a new Garda station for Sligo.
Comment on this
I hear the Deputy's concerns, and I will bring them to the Minister for Justice. Obviously, the provision of Garda stations is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the first instance, working with the OPW but I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister for Justice.