Cullen opens new €600,000 Fire Station at Callan, March 2004

Minister Martin Cullen opens New Fire Station in Callan

Minister Cullen unveiling the commemorative plaque for the opening of Callan Fire Station.(Left to Right) Cllr Tom Maher,Fr. Willie Dalton, John McGuinness T.D.,Liam Aylward T.D. Junior Minister, Martin Cullen T.D. Minister, Bobby Aylward Chairman of County Council, Michael Malone County Manager, Tom Gunning Director Of Services, Ciaran Cormican Chief Fire Officer

Mr. Martin Cullen, T.D., Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government today (26 March) officially opened the new fire station in Callan, Co. Kilkenny. The new two bay station with was completed at a cost of €600,000 is being financed by the Minister's Department as part of the State's continuing investment in fire services infrastructure nationally.

The Minister stated that the level of capital investment in the fire service increased significantly in the period 1998 - 2003 with over €85 million being provided in grants to the local fire authorities, more than was provided in the previous 13 years. The 2004 allocation of €19 million will ensure the continued development and modernisation of the fire service and will help speed up its infrastructure programme.

Minister Martin Cullen meets the Fire Officers at New Station

Minister Cullen being introduced to Callan Fire Brigade Guard of Honour

"Kilkenny County Council has benefited directly from this increased investment in the fire service in recent years." The Minister added, "Since 1998 my Department issued approval for the Council to purchase three new fire appliances and a new emergency tender at a cost of €1 million (approx). In addition to the construction of this new station, my Department also approved improvement works to Kilkenny Fire Station at a cost of around €40,000."

People attending the Opening of the New Fire Station in Callan

Guests at the official opening

The Minister also paid tribute to the dedication of fire service personnel, throughout the country, who are there for us in times of crisis, responding to emergencies. He referred also to their expanding role, where now in addition to their traditional fire fighting duties, they have to deal with a variety of emergencies ranging from road traffic accidents to incidents involving dangerous chemicals, pollution and flooding, etc.

The Minister concluded by congratulating all associated with the provision of the new fire station in Callan and extended best wishes for the future to the personnel who will work from it.

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