Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 December 2025
116. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the date in 2017 on which, and the format in which (email, phone call or other) the request from An Garda Síochána was received by the OPW to rent one of their properties in Spa Road, Phoenix Park, Dublin. [68355/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if anyone from his Department ever discussed or communicated with anyone in the OPW between 2016 and 27 November 2025 regarding An Garda Síochána renting a property on Spa Road, Phoenix Park, Dublin; and if so, the dates on which they so did, with whom, and the reasons. [68359/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.
The possible provision of accommodation for the Garda Commissioner was discussed between the Office of Public Works and the Department of Justice officials during late 2017 and during 2018. The discussions were through telephone calls or meetings.
Initial discussions in 2017 were exploratory seeking OPW advices on the provision of residential accommodation should a candidate from outside the jurisdiction be appointed Garda Commissioner. No property was identified at that stage.
During mid-2018 the OPW identified a residential property at the Spa Road in the Phoenix Park, which had been refurbished for a different purpose. Following inspections of the property by An Garda Síochána the property was deemed suitable for the new Garda Commissioner.
A rental agreement was put in place late 2018 in respect of the property. The rental agreement ceased in September 2025 following the retirement of the then Garda Commissioner.
The Chairman of the OPW had a very short discussion with the Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Migration and Home Affairs during July 2025 in relation to the refurbishments carried out on the property during 2017/18.
