Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Táim an-bhuíoch den Chathaoirleach as ligint domsa an t-ábhar seo a ardú ar Athló an tSeanaid anocht. Is ábhar an-thábhachtach é seo maidir le teach cúirte Ceanannais Móir, Contae na Mí.

This is the third time that I have stood in the Seanad to address what I perceive to be the downgrading of the town of Kells by the Government. I spoke on the cancellation of the Eureka school building project, I spoke on the broken promise on the Kells primary health care centre and I speak tonight on the possible closure of Kells courthouse in County Meath. I may well seek to table a further Adjournment matter about the possible abolition of Kells Town Council as well.

Kells is receiving a great many hammer-blows from the Government which relate to the prestige, services and infrastructure of the town. It has come to the attention of the County Meath Bar Association that Kells courthouse may well be earmarked for closure. I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, who, presumably, is present on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, to clarify the exact position on Kells courthouse.

The courthouse in Kells is widely used. On one day in November, there were 63 cases listed. This does not merely involve, as some might perceive, a quick courthouse visit in which persons get their convictions and everybody holds their breathe and sees them go to jail. Rather, it brings much business to the town, whether visiting gardaí, lawyers or unfortunate defendants and their families, and adds to the prestige of the town. The business community in Kells is most concerned about this issue as well. It is about the status of the town and the services available in it.

With all of the downgrading of Kells by the Fine Gael-Labour Party Government, I plead with the Government to consider this decision carefully and not go ahead with it. It would turn a once proud town with many facilities into what would be effectively a village if it does not have a court facility. If there is to be a consultation process regarding the closing of Kells courthouse, I ask the Government to cancel it and to show that this courthouse is needed and the figures are there to prove it. I look forward to a good answer from the Minister. The people of Kells are quickly losing patience with the Government.