David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I propose to share time with Senator Cummins. The redevelopment of the courthouse in Waterford city is long overdue and the provision of extra courtrooms is to be welcomed. I am concerned that the aforementioned works may lead to a loss of court services in Waterford city. Any loss, whether short-term, medium-term or long-term, would be a disaster for Waterford city. I will not mince my words. It would be an intolerable loss of status for Waterford city as a regional gateway under the national spatial strategy. We cannot allow it to happen.

It is estimated the redevelopment will cost between €15 million and €20 million and that the construction period will be up to two and a half years. Alternative accommodation must be found, which I accept in the context of redeveloping the courthouse. At this point, the Office of Public Works, OPW, is only looking at one replacement courtroom, which is what is being sought. That is the problem. If this is the case, the city of Waterford could lose both Circuit Court and High Court sittings. The District Court already sits five days a week and only one court can sit in a room at any one time. As matters stand, the courts and the people who attend them, including the members of the legal profession, their backup teams, civil servants, gardaí and members of the public, bring essential and much-needed revenue into the city.

Through no fault of its own, Waterford city has a problem with high unemployment. Any loss to Waterford city, even if it is short-term, would be a disaster and is something we must make provision against. I ask the Minister of State why the OPW is not trying to rent an entire building. It would make perfect sense, as we could continue to have all sittings of all courts, and the proceeds that come with that would remain in Waterford and would not be lost to elsewhere. If the courts are moved to another location outside Waterford, the OPW will still have to pay rent for a suitable space, but we are not taking into account the loss to Waterford city in terms of jobs, revenue and morale. Any savings made will be wiped out. These are genuine concerns brought to my attention by solicitors, members of the legal profession, An Taisce and a number of other organisations. I welcome the opportunity the Minister of State has to update the House on the issue.