Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, and wish him well with the diaspora next week when he will ably represent Ireland. I wish him continued success in his work for the undocumented in the United States of America, a matter which is very close to his heart.

The Minister for Justice and Equality and the Courts Service need to refurbish the courthouse in Roscommon town to provide a modern courts service once Roscommon County Council's new civic offices are completed later this year. The courthouse is an iconic and a beautiful building on Abbey Street in Roscommon town. It has housed both the Courts Service and Roscommon County Council for over 100 years, having been built in the 19th century. The local authority received approval to build new civic offices in Roscommon town. My former colleague and former Minister of State Michael Finneran and I as a Senator and a Deputy have been working with council members for years to obtain new facilities for Roscommon County Council by way of the location of a one-stop shop in the area. That is now well under way and near completion. Staff will vacate the courthouse later this year and there will be an opportunity for the Courts Service to look at the building and the provision of services in a modern justice system.

The courtrooms are very attractive and beautifully laid out, but there are no facilities for a children's court or to deal with other issues that arise today and which were not considered when the building was erected. It is a great opportunity for the Courts Service to review and refurbish the building, provide wheelchair access and lifts to the first floor and to create a centre for all the activities of the justice system in the area. The court clerks are located at least one mile from the building, which is not a good approach to adopt. Therefore, we need to look at this issue. I am sure the Minister, the Department and the Courts Service will give it top priority. There is a question of negotiations with Roscommon County Council, but I presume they will be completed speedily.

The building invokes many memories for many. During the years it served many purposes. The council chamber, in which I served for over 20 years, would be ideal for a children's court.All of the rooms will be occupied by barristers and solicitors. Currently, much of this work is conducted in public in the hallways on the ground floor, which is not satisfactory. Proper facilities are needed for the judges, barristers, solicitors and clients. Also, as the building is adjacent to the regional Garda headquarters in Roscommon town, this is convenient for gardaí in the context of their work with the Courts Service. I am asking today that the Government and Minister give early consideration to the redesign or refurbishment of the building, to include facilities for wheelchair users, and restoration of the building to its state prior to its extension some years ago by Roscommon County Council. I ask that the Minister give this matter his early consideration.