Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

The current name does not sound appropriate. It sounds like an ominous complex with 450 "rooms" and "ancillary facilities" but we know that the 22 courtrooms to deal with all Dublin criminal business will take up much of the complex. I am glad to see from Deputy O'Connor's point of view that there will continue to be a District Court in Tallaght. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for my constituency because the District Court in Dunshaughlin has been closed and its business moved to Navan. That must be examined. Drogheda, Kells and Navan courts cover part of Meath East. Some of my constituents have even been before the court in Blanchardstown.

The courts system does not attract much public attention. There was very little public interest in Drogheda District Court's being located for many years in a bingo hall. I practised there. When a local newspaper set up a petition about it there was little response. The situation has improved, however, and there are more frequent sittings in line with the increase in population. The Circuit Court for Meath is in Trim and that for Louth is in Dundalk, making two locations in the north east. In the west and south, however, there is a plethora of Circuit Court locations, regardless, in some cases, of geography or population. There is scope to rationalise the court system throughout the country. If the business can be done in two locations in the north east, where the county registrars are very efficient, that example should be followed around the country, particularly when money has to be saved. The public would support that because thankfully most of the public do not appear in court.

It is important to have good facilities but I urge the Minister to consider the court service in Dunshaughlin because if a place can be found for that courthouse it will be provided. The current location is unsafe but no suitable alternative has been found. That is important not just for the Garda, witnesses and alleged criminals but also for the local economy because of the influx of gardaí, lawyers, witnesses and so on that it brings.

I welcome this Bill and the new complex. I advise anyone studying the theory of criminal law to spend some time in this complex when it is operating because all the criminal business will be dealt with there. It would be interesting to watch how cases progress from the District Court all the way up to the Court of Criminal Appeal. The legislation includes some sensible provisions which can be used elsewhere.

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