Seanad debates

Thursday, 12 February 2015

Commencement Matters

Court Accommodation Provision

10:50 am

Photo of John WhelanJohn Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the personal interest shown by the Minister of State and his receptive response to the concerns of people of Portlaoise and County Laois. I am heartened that there is agreement in principle that the courthouse is in the wrong place and must be moved. If the main impediment is identifying and securing a suitable site, all stakeholders and interested parties should work towards that end. I hope the investment in new holding cells will not make the new courthouse a more permanent fixture and will instead be an interim arrangement to allow safe and secure passage of vehicles through Main Street. No town should see its citizens and residents fearful of visiting their main street in broad daylight. This has to stop, and the court is the heart of that problem. I welcome that the Department and the Courts Service accept that the courthouse needs to be move and that it will be moved as soon as a suitable site can be found.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.