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

I am aware that much work has been done in many areas around the country to modernise the Courts Service and to bring courtrooms up to the required standard. We understand that it is a ten-year plan. However, some work could be done much faster than that to improve the situation in regard to many court buildings that do not have adequate meeting rooms, space, or facilities for barristers and solicitors to be able to deal with their clients. It is an ongoing problem, especially where victims of crime are in very close proximity to the accused or to perpetrators in many cases. Much of our discussion this morning has been on domestic and sexual violence. In those circumstances, as part of the Government's zero-tolerance strategy, there should be zero tolerance in that area as well to ensure that we have the correct space and accommodation for people so that they will not be re-traumatised when they enter the court system. The current buildings are an impediment to that and work must be done to make sure that happens.

See this speech in context