Minister Harris’ visit to Athlone Garda Station shows his commitment to upgrade of station building and facilities – McFadden

Fine Gael Longford-Westmeath TD, Gabrielle McFadden, has said that the visit of Minister of State for the OPW, Simon Harris TD, to Athlone Garda Station last Thursday, shows his commitment to the upgrade of the station building and its facilities.

“I would like to thank Minister Harris for responding to my invitation to view the existing station and to discuss the pressing need to provide funding to activate the upgrade of the station. This project is on the waiting list for a significant upgrade and the existing facilities are clearly in need of modernisation for members of the force and the public.

“Along with Minister Harris, I am now going to meet with the Minister for Justice, Francis Fitzgerald, to discuss the need to have the project pushed up the priority list for further progression at the end of 2015 or early 2016.

“This is a significant capital project where work on the planning and design have already been undertaken by the OPW, based on a brief of accommodation provided by An Garda Síochána. As part of the development, a link building will be constructed between the existing Garda Station and the former Government Offices nearby.

“The construction work will take up to two years to complete with important jobs being provided during this phase.”