Brendan Smith demands progress on Bonboi Garda station reopening
Brendan Smith asked for a clear update on the reopening of Bonboi/Bombay Garda Station, pressing the minister and the OPW to stick to promised timeframes and start works. He argued the station's restoration is vital for community policing, public reassurance and border-area security and sought clarity on technical delays.
Background and timeline
The then-acting Garda Commissioner in November 2017 reported that six Garda stations had been selected for reopening and Bonboi Garda Station was one of them. The OPW undertook technical surveys and issued a report on required works, indicative costs and a proposed layout. The transcript records that, upon final Garda sign-off, a Part 9 planning application would be prepared and publicised and procurement progressed, with an expectation of reopening in 2020, while enabling works for asbestos removal were under way.
Delays and technical issues
Deputy Smith highlighted repeated assurances in 2018 and 2019 and asked what progress had been made in finalising plans. The minister acknowledged delays linked to universal access requirements for building compliance and questions over whether married quarters should form part of reopened stations. A fast-track Part 9 application is being prepared according to the record.
Community impact and policing
Smith described Bonboi/Bombay as his home community, a rural village a long way from the next station, and stressed the importance of local Garda presence. He said the value of community policing was brought home during the COVID-19 pandemic and that a local station provides reassurance for residents and supports border-area policing.
Current status and ministerial reply
The minister noted that four of the six pilot stations have reopened and that Bombay and Leyland Bridge remain to be completed. The minister said he would ask an official to revert to Deputy Smith and was asked to insist that the OPW adhere to the stated timeframe so the community can see movement on the project as rapidly as possible.
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Thank you very much. The then-acting Garda Commissioner in November 2017, in a report to the Department of Justice, outlined that Garda Sia Khanna had decided to reopen six Garda stations that had been closed some years previously. He outlined to the Department that he had been in touch with the OPW with regard to necessary modernisation or upgrading of any of the Garda stations so chosen. Now, Bonboi Garda Station, which is my home village, it was one of the six stations that was decided to reopen. We were told that work would commence in a relatively short time to have the station modernised and upgraded. I would just like to know what progress has there been to date? The programme for government included for a pilot programme of station reopenings throughout the country, including Bonboi Garda Station. The OPW undertook technical surveys in the building and they issued a report on the works required, indicative costs involved and proposed layout to Garda estate management. The deliberative process between on Garda Sia Khanna and the OPW to finalise proposals is ongoing. Upon final Garda sign-off, this office will prepare, submit and publicise the necessary Part 9 planning application and progress the procurement of works required to reopen the station, which it is expected will take place in 2020. In the interim, the OPW is arranging enabling works which are necessary prior to the removal of asbestos. The chcia initated of the platform is operated. Minister, I notice that the same wording has been used as used again in 2018 and 2019 to me, but the deliberate process between the OPW and Garda Sia Khanna can be a relatively small-scale project. Minister Flanigan was very supportive of having the Bonboi Garda station open when I had questions to him here on the current issue in the past. I think it was early in 2019 Minister Flanagan, in response to parliamentary questions, indicated that the station would reopen before the end of 2019. Subsequently, when September 2019 came, the Minister of State and the OPW at the time, Minister Morden, indicated that the station would reopen by mid-2020. I would just like to know what progress has been made in this deliberative process in regard to actually getting plans finalised and getting construction commenced. Minister? I believe that one of the problems that was faced in this project was obtaining approval due to universal access requirements for building compliance, which, as you will understand, is absolutely necessary. There was also a question about whether these stations should have married quarters attached to them when operational. An Garda Siakona have to decide yet whether such accommodation is to be part of the functions of the reopened station. You can see from the answer that a fast-track application is being prepared under Part 9 and that it is expected that that will happen this year. Mr Smith? Thank you, I can't go on. I thank the Minister's Prime Minister. I would like if you would insist with the OPW that they stick to the timeframe this time. I would be very appreciative of that. I think it was only last week that the Garda Commissioner joined us at the Cavern Joint Policing Committee. We spoke about the difficulties in policing along Land Barther with a different jurisdiction. But Bombay is a small village in West County Cavern. It is a rural community. It is a long way to the next Garda station. At the time it was closed, I had worked along with the local community there, arguing for it to be reinstated. I was very glad at the time when the then Garda Commissioner announced that it was one of the stations that would reopen. So the local community there are anxious that the station be reinstated as soon as possible. Because I think it was brought home to us very clearly, the value of community policing and the presence of members of Ngārda Shia Khan in our communities during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. It is a comfort for communities when they know of the local Garda presence. And a local Garda station facilitates that presence. So I would ask you Minister Toon to give the message back to the officials in OPW that we want movement on this as rapidly as possible. Mr. Smith. I note and appreciate the Deputy's concerns about security and particularly around the border area. And just to say that there were six stations identified for reopening as part of the pilot program and four of those have so far reopened. Bombay and Leyland Bridge are the two remaining ones to happen. So there has been progress on this. But I do appreciate what you are saying about the concerns of local people having community policing in place. And I will ask Mr. O'Donovan to revert to you on that topic, OK? Thank you. Thank you very much, Minister.
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