Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator again for raising this issue. Consultation is the key here. I am keen to ensure that at all times there will be adequate consultation. I understand the Courts Service has met with local practitioners on 24 October and again last week on 7 November to alert them to the issue and to seek the assistance of the local stakeholders with finding possible interim locations for Roscommon court sittings into next year. I am informed by the Courts Service that it is happy to assess any suggested venues on the matter of their suitability for the hosting of court sittings. The Courts Service has agreed to meet practitioners again in the near future and has agreed to visit any suggested venues. I would be happy to continue to engage with Senator Leyden in order to ensure any venues he might put forward or any other venues in the area that might be considered appropriate for an interim court sitting would be inspected by the Courts Service in order to assess their suitability. I welcome the fact the Courts Service is proactively working to maintain court services in the town of Roscommon, which I understand to be the basis of Senator Leyden's submission. I agree with that and I am anxious to ensure the Courts Service continues to seek alternative venues to house the District Court in Roscommon and also, as was mentioned, the Circuit Court.