Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Many courthouses around the country are under pressure due to the Covid pandemic. They are all having difficulties. Based on reports in a local newspaper, the relatively new courthouse in Carrick-on-Shannon is considering severely limiting the number of sittings and closing it down much of the time because there is insufficient space for people to move around. We need an assessment of each courthouse and what can be done to make it work better. While I understand the Courts Service may already be doing some of that, it is important for it to happen as quickly as possible.

As we are discussing courthouses it would be remiss if I did not mention this. All Opposition parties and groupings have requested the Minister to come to the Dáil Chamber this week to make a statement and answer questions about the process of appointment of senior judges. It would be important for her to do so from the point of view of her position and the position of the Judiciary. To clear up the matter it would be important that she would do that. I take this opportunity when she is here. I know it is not is not part of what we are doing, but I thought it was important to put that to her when she is here before the committee.