Seanad Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee has hit out at the government for its "unnecessary delays" in reopening Rush Garda Station in Dublin.

Seven months ago Assistant Garda Commissioner Pat Leahy confirmed to the Public Accounts Committee that the station would be one of six Garda stations to be reopened under a national pilot programme.

Ms Clifford-Lee, Seanad's spokesperson for Justice, said: "While Minister Flanagan has confirmed to me that the vital assessment between the Office of Public Works and An Garda Síochana has been completed, the process appears to have stalled at the next stage of procurement given the length of delay already.

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"Until contracts are signed as part of the tendering process, remedial works cannot begin – the Minister doesn't seem to recognise how frustrating these unnecessary delays are in re-opening this station."

She reinforced the importance of an estimated timescale to the people of Rush.

"The people of Rush have been adversely affected by this closure for the past 5 years and deserve the provision of modern, effective policing in their community from here forth.

"I have written to the Minister of State, Boxer Moran requesting further information from his Department relating to the re-opening of Rush Garda Station," she concluded.

(CM)