Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

The Senator has raised this very important issue and made his views very clear. I will make sure that they are passed on to and directly heard by the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, as regards the importance of maintaining the courthouse in Donegal. To provide an update, the Minister has indicated that the Courts Service is initially looking at a move to Ballyshannon on a temporary basis. That is approximately 20 km away and 20 minutes by car.

I will point out the importance of looking for a suitable venue in Donegal town, as the Senator indicated. He made his case very clear on that. The regional manager of the Courts Service is working to ensure that all of the relevant people, including the Presidents of the Circuit and District Courts, the relevant Circuit and District Court judges, the country registrar, the coroner in the court, An Garda Síochána and practitioners, are informed of the current situation, as there may be a need to move sittings from 1 October.

This Commencement matter is very pressing and immediate and the Senator's concerns are very appropriate. I will make sure that the Minister is made aware of them.