Defence

Major Refurbishment and Redevelopment for Wicklow Garda stations – Doyle

Andrew 2015, Defence, Wicklow - East Carlow

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Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle, has said that the announcement of major refurbishment and redevelopment works for both Greystones and Wicklow Town Garda station is great news for the entire community and proof of the Government’s commitment to supporting the Gardaí in their work. This is part of a national €60 million Garda building and refurbishment programme to build new and improving and refurbish existing Garda stations.

“I am delighted that both Greystones and Wicklow Town will be receiving major refurbishment and redevelopment works. This work will help ensure that our Garda station will be modern and fit for purpose. It is also a reflection of the needs the modern, mixer gender Garda force we have today. We need to support the Gardaí in carrying out their work to protect the community. We also need to provide a suitable facility for the members of the public that visit Garda stations, be it someone getting their passport stamped, a victim of crime who is receiving support or someone who is under investigation. In short, this investment benefits the whole community.

“This follows yesterday’s announcement that €5.3 million is to be spent on 260 new Garda vehicles between now and the end of the year. These vehicles will be used to tackle the scourge of highly-mobile criminal gangs committing crimes in and across the country.

“The Government will now have invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012, marking a massive increase on the €4.8 million provided by the previous Government between 2009 and 2011.

“Continued investment in An Garda Síochána is vital to provide a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose Garda force. This investment will continue with the recruitment of an additional 600 Gardaí to add to the 550 who have been recruited since this Government reopened Templemore. Investment will also continue through the Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides an additional €46 million for new Garda vehicles.

“In July, Minister Fitzgerald published a new Bail bill to strengthening the law to get tougher on serious and repeat offenders out on bail. This new law will see a clamp down on repeat burglars and will support the Gardaí who work extremely hard to catch criminals.

“This Government is committed to ensuring that the Gardaí have all the necessary tools at their disposal to tackle crime. Providing modern, high quality Garda stations will enable the force to do its job in protecting citizens and preventing crime in Wicklow and countrywide.”

ENDS

 

Opportunity to proceed with the redevelopment of Wicklow Courthouse should not be missed

Andrew 2015, Defence, Environment, Tourism

NWS_20130306_UNC_003_26753122_I1Andrew Doyle has raised the issue of the redevelopment and reopening of the Wicklow Courthouse in the context of the allocation of resources as announced recently in the Capital Investment 2016-2020 plan.

Speaking on Topical Issues in the Dail Doyle said there is an opportunity not to be missed here in terms of the future of the Wicklow town Courthouse with a view towards expansion and development of a four-court campus in Wicklow town.

“I welcomed the decision taken by the Courts service a number of years ago to develop four-court campus at the location of the old courts. The County registrar at that time confirmed that all the required property adjacent to the court had been acquired with the aim of proceeding to planning stages.

“This project was then stalled, with the resulting loss of all judicial activity in Wicklow town as court services were gradually relocated to Bray. Wicklow’s status as the County town has since been undermined, not to mention the economic impact of losing court services in the town on local businesses.

“I have continued to campaign over the years to restore the Courthouse with its significant historic value dating back to the Victorian era, which has been used many times as a film location, as well as the ability of the Courthouse to complement the historic Wicklow Gaol, now a major tourist attraction.

“A redeveloped Courthouse would enhance the historic attraction of this part of Wicklow town as well as recognising and strengthening the town’s position as the county administrative town. The gradual movement of court services from Wicklow town to Bray is not feasible in the long term. It has proven to be expensive and the buildings don’t have the capacity to cater for a full range of court services. It is totally inadequate and is not a long term solution.

“The €875 million in capital funding allocated in Capital Investment 2016-2020 to the justice sector is very welcome. Minister Fitzgerald herself stated that it is only right as we update our laws we should also update our Courts infrastructure.

“While the Courts service has not been in a position to proceed with plans to redevelop Wicklow town courthouse, I welcome its continued intention and commitment to redevelop and reopen the courthouse in Wicklow town and I strongly urge the Ministers with relevant responsibility to work with the Courts service and to seize the opportunity now presented through Capital Investment 2016-2020; to remove the uncertainty and to prioritise plans to restore and reopen the courthouse in Wicklow town.”

 

ENDS