Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44650/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy 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 exercising its functions.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that it appreciates that the railings are an important part of Carlow’s architectural heritage and that it is committed to their full restoration.  The Courts Service has been advised that the restoration is a complex task requiring specialist conservation and iron-working expertise. The Courts Service does not have this expertise itself and is reliant on OPW resources to undertake and manage the task.

The Courts Service has advised that a great deal of technical investigations and analysis has been carried out on the railings by the OPW in order to determine how best to restore the railings and that the actual restoration work will be undertaken in stages. The Courts Service has approved funding for the first phase of the restoration works which will see 10 of the 66 bays or sections of the railings fully restored. A procurement process in respect of the restoration of the initial 10 bays or sections will be undertaken by the OPW and it is anticipated that the procurement will begin before the end of year with the actual restoration work to begin during the first quarter of 2018. This initial work will inform how future phases will be undertaken.