Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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467. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the railings at the front of the courthouse, Mullingar, County Westmeath will be removed in the context of the continued development. [45898/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is 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 Mullingar Courthouse is currently being extended as part of the Courts Public Private Partnership (PPP) Bundle project, which is delivering much needed upgraded facilities for court users at seven locations nationwide.

The Courts Service has also informed me that the railings to the front of the Mullingar courthouse building on Mount Street are currently undergoing refurbishment off site and will be reinstated in their former position prior to the reopening of the courthouse in the first half of 2018. While the railings are not the original railings from when the courthouse was first opened in 1829, they are vintage railings and are in the curtilage of the courthouse, which is a protected structure.