asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the continued hardships affecting citizens of Dún Laoghaire Borough who have to travel to the Dublin District Court to transact licensing cases, children's cases, civil matters, landlord and tenant cases, et cetera, because of the failure to set up a local district court in Dún Laoghaire which could also service the South County Dublin area; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Court Facilities.
55.
As the Deputy will be aware, there are conflicting views on the merits of establishing a district court with full jurisdiction in Dún Laoghaire. In particular such a proposal would run counter to the unanimous recommendations of the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure.
As of now, I personally favour having a court with full jurisdiction in Dún Laoghaire which, in addition to serving the present area, would also serve adjoining areas in South County Dublin.
However, there are complicated issues involved. For example, the removal of the Dún Laoghaire area from the Dublin Metropolitan District would have some serious side-effects on the status of the area in the context of the licensing laws, and amending legislation would be necessary to preserve the present status.
I hope to reach a firm decision in principle at an early date. However, it will be clear from what I have said that there must be some delay in implementing any decision involving the removal of the area from the Dublin Metropolitan District.
I welcome the Minister's decision but I ask him if he would accept that at present there is inflicted on the public generally as well as on members of the Garda Síochána very considerable inconvenience and hardship because there is no district court sitting in Dún Laoghaire? I wonder if the Minister could give any assurance that this matter will be expedited by his Department?
I have told the Deputy what are the difficulties. Legislation would be necessary because of licensing laws but, as I said, personally I favour it. It is not correct for the Deputy to say that there is no district court sitting in Dún Laoghaire. One sits several days a week but it is limited to a certain type of jurisdiction.