Seanad debates
Tuesday, 12 November 2019
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Court Accommodation Provision
2:30 pm
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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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.
Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to have the opportunity to update the House, and Senator Leyden in particular, on progress regarding the Courts Service in Roscommon town and the refurbishment of Roscommon courthouse. I hope I will be allowed to depart from my reply for a moment to offer my sincere congratulations to the Senator on the birth of his granddaughter, Nicole Mairéad, in Brussels. I wish her all the best in her future years.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister. I will convey that message.
Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I wish good health to her and to her grandparents here in Roscommon.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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That is very kind of the Minister. I thank him.
Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As Senator Leyden will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. However, I am happy to advise Senator Leyden that the Government’s National Development Plan 2018-2027 includes a firm commitment for the development of new or refurbished courthouses, including the refurbishment of the courthouse at Roscommon. This is a good news story for the people of Roscommon.
The Courts Service has informed me that in 2018 it acquired full ownership of the historic Roscommon courthouse, which was formerly under the ownership of Roscommon County Council. The Courts Service intends to refurbish the courthouse and to use the space previously occupied by the council to provide additional facilities for users of the court.The OPW has conducted various surveys of the building since the Courts Service took possession of it and in common with many old buildings, the main areas of focus were the electrical works and the roof of the courthouse. Based on initial surveys, it was estimated earlier in the year that €350,000 would have to be put aside for electrical works. However, at a meeting with the OPW in October 2019, I understand mechanical and engineering experts indicated the cost of the electrical works alone would be at least €450,000. In addition, following the recent collapse of a ceiling in a jury room on the ground floor of the courthouse, investigations were carried out on the condition of the roof and it appears it too needs considerable work. In total, it appears it would be likely to cost at least €1 million to repair the roof and to carry out electrical works at the courthouse. At the same recent meeting, the proposal was put to the OPW about completing some small remedial works in order to keep the courthouse open until March 2020. I welcome this approach and I am hopeful no further issues will arise between now and then. If necessary, there is a contingency measure in place to facilitate sittings of the Circuit Court in Carrick-on-Shannon and sittings of the District Court in Castlerea as an interim measure. I acknowledge what Senator Leyden has said about seeking alternative and appropriate facilities in Roscommon town. I assure the Senator that is under way and I would be happy to keep him informed of progress on same.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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On a personal note, I thank the Minister for his best wishes on the birth of Nicole Mairéad Leyden Ryan. I will convey his best wishes to Sinead and Dermot. I thank him very much for that from a personal point of view.
An interview the Minister gave was carried in theRoscommon Peopleon 1 November. In that interview, the Minister pledged to support the court staying in the locality and he has basically confirmed that in the sense that he would prefer if that arrangement could be made. That can be done and suitable accommodation can be made in the area. We also have Government offices in the town and the Courts Service has availed of same. If there is a bit of arrangement carried out in the area there would be no difficulty in keeping those services in Roscommon town, pending the work that is needed. I am not denying that work is required. I would be concerned that the service can be retained in the building while some work is carried out. As someone coming from a constituency like Laois-Offaly, the Minister knows the importance of Tullamore courthouse. There is a beautiful building there and Laois also has fantastic facilities in Portlaoise. I am confident the Minister will help us along the way with this. I thank him again.
Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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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.