Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I want to raise the issue of the closure of the courthouse in Donegal town. The courthouse is located in Tirconaill Street and is a building of significant architectural and historical importance dating back to the 19th century. No warning was given about this closure. A letter was simply sent to a businessman and nobody was informed. The Donegal people are very concerned that the building could be closed permanently. I am asking for the Minister for justice to clarify a few things.Are there plans to refurbish and reopen the courthouse? What assessments have been carried out regarding the building's condition and the future of the courthouse? Is there funding in place to preserve this important civic building? This issue is not about infrastructure; it is about maintaining the presence of justice in our community and respecting the heritage of Donegal town. I hope the Minister of State can clarify this issue. Donegal town has lost so much in the past year, including the Donegal Education Support Centre, DESC. We cannot allow the same to happen to the courthouse.

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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On behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. The Minister has advised that Donegal courthouse will be closed temporarily as a result of health and safety concerns. Work has been ongoing with the Office of Public Works in order to determine the required works and the associated costs. The main and most serious safety issues relate to the entrances for both the public and courthouse users and the judge. Both of the ceilings in the public entrance porch have partially collapsed.

In November 2023, the OPW provided a costing for the repair of the flat roofs at the courthouse. These works were approved by the Courts Service and communicated to the OPW. However, the OPW subsequently advised that the existing roof would also need to be replaced due to its condition. Based on that advice, the OPW was asked to provide a costing for the repairs required for the roof in its entirety, which was forwarded to the Courts Service in August 2025. A further on-site meeting with the OPW took place on 2 September 2025. During those discussions, it became apparent that further investigative works would be necessary to determine if any additional structural and associated works were required. The OPW has indicated that opening-up works will be required to facilitate the completion of a structural survey of the building.

The Courts Service was further advised about the concerns the OPW had regarding the continued use of the building in its current state. The Minister is advised that the OPW has organised for a full building conditions survey to be carried out, including a mechanical and electrical conditions survey. The OPW is awaiting a timeline and costing for this survey. The outcome of the survey will inform the next steps in relation to the courthouse in Donegal. The regional office intends to explore whether there are any suitable temporary venues within Donegal town.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State. When he returns to the Minister, I plead with him to ensure that, no matter what happens, we have to keep the courthouse in Donegal town. It has been there a long time. It really adds to the town with barristers coming in, coffee shops, etc. Donegal town has lost so much in the past year with the DESC moving to Letterkenny. The courthouse's roof might need to be structurally redone as well as electrical and other works, but it is a matter of the utmost importance that we keep the courthouse in Donegal town. It sets the tone for the whole area regarding justice and keeps it where it needs to be in Donegal town. I implore the Minister of State that, when he goes back to the Minister, he tells him that the people of Donegal town and south-west Donegal want their building refurbished, reopened and kept in Donegal town.

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State and the Senator. I thank the Minister of State for coming here. We value his attendance here today.