Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the PPP, this applies not just to the courts' capital programme but also to An Garda Síochána as well. What I have seen in the past is that PPP projects tend to start and be delivered within the timeframe that is set out. It is important that we are commencing such significant projects, Hammond Lane being one example, and that we know there is a start, middle and end and that when the projects finish they will come in on time and, most importantly, on budget.

In terms of the criminal trials, we met with the Courts Service in the past week, and we were assured that they would resume. It is important that there is a phased return where there is still a level of uncertainty and people who are vulnerable, in particular when juries are being sworn in, as we have seen with work in various Departments the length and breadth of the country. The intention is that criminal trials will resume in their original courthouses as soon as possible. It is being done on a phased basis for the very reasons I have outlined, namely, that there are still people who are vulnerable and there is still Covid. We must take all of that into account.

As the Deputy will be aware, there has been a lot of engagement locally in respect of Tralee courthouse between the council, the OPW and my Department. A decision was taken through the council that the Island of Geese site was identified as the most appropriate. My understanding is that there are still discussions happening between the council and the OPW on what might potentially happen with the current building and what is required to do that. The intention is for the work to progress as quickly as possible in these instances, particularly as it has been going on for some time.