Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It may not be the answer the Deputy wishes, unfortunately. It is true to say that the Courts Service is independent in these matters. However, I will relay the Deputy's view to it. For the benefit of the record, my note tells me that the provision of new court facilities in Tralee is one of the Courts Service's projects identified in the national development plan, as the Deputy knows. As a county town, a courthouse with four courtrooms and related facilities is envisaged to meet current and future demand in Tralee. In the view of the Courts Service, this will require a building that is significantly larger than the existing courthouse on Ashe Street, which comprises two courtrooms and lacks the facilities expected of a modern court building. I am told by the Courts Service that the current site is constrained and that it would not be possible to refurbish the courthouse within its boundaries to provide a building on the scale envisaged.

The Island of Geese site, which is a town centre site in council ownership, is the preferred option. I believe it has been assessed by the OPW's architectural services as being suitable for a courthouse building.

As the Deputy has correctly said, Kerry County Council has approved the sale of the site to the service and conveyancing is under way. Excepting the point made by the Deputy, I just wanted to share with the Deputy the note from the Courts Service. I will feed back the Deputy's views to the Courts Service.