Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for arranging for this matter to be discussed.I welcome the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, and thank him for taking time to come to the Seanad to respond to this particular issue. The Courts Service and Ms Angela Denning announced on 24 October 2019 that Roscommon courthouse would close for refurbishment on 30 March 2020. The closure of Roscommon courthouse would be another major blow to Roscommon town, the Courts Service, the public, staff and the solicitors and barristers who practise in this circuit. The Courts Service took complete possession of this historic building when Roscommon County Council vacated it in 2018 to transfer to the new civic offices in Roscommon town. The Circuit Court sits on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with a break for summer. The District Court and family courts also sit in the building. It is a very historic building, going back more than 100 years. It is a beautiful and iconic building in Roscommon town. It is of a beautiful design. With the vacating of the rest of the building by Roscommon County Council, it is a most suitable building. One of the benefits of Roscommon County Council investing quite a considerable amount of money on new civic offices is that the courthouse and services could be developed to provide confidentiality and privacy for barristers, solicitors and, most importantly, the public who use these facilities, in which justice is served well.

In the circumstances, I feel the proposals to move the Circuit Court's sittings to Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim and the District Court's sittings to Castlerea are totally unacceptable. This comes on top of the fact that the chief superintendent and the regional power of An Garda Síochána in Roscommon, which serves Longford and Roscommon, is being moved to Castlebar. This is another downgrading of the services in the area. Boyle courthouse was closed in 2011 and was never reopened.

The Minister is aware of the situation. Coming from the neighbouring constituency of Laois-Offaly and as a very accomplished solicitor, he will realise the benefits of these services being available as locally as possible. A nexus of staff has also built up in the area over the years. I accept that refurbishment is required and that the building requires rewiring and so on but is it possible to phase this in while the Courts Service continues to operate? Failing that, I know that the Courts Service is looking for alternative temporary accommodation in Roscommon town. I suggested that the new council chamber, which is not used every day of the week, could be adapted in a minor way to accommodate the Courts Service. It has loudspeakers, an area for the press, and an area for the public to meet and there is good accommodation in the chamber. I will not delay. I am more interested in hearing the Minister's response than in making my case in this particular regard.