asked the Minister for Justice if he has received representations from the Tallaght Chamber of Commerce, Tallaght, County Dublin, regarding the urgent need to provide a courthouse facility in Tallaght; the steps being taken to provide this facility; and when it is likely to be provided.
Written Answers. - Tallaght (Dublin) Courthouse.
11.
Limerick East): I have received from Tallaght Chamber of Commerce a copy of a submission seeking to justify the provision of a District Court in Tallaght. The submission contains nothing of which I was not already aware when I replied to the Deputy's question on the subject on 23 October last.
As the Deputy is aware, the responsibility for providing the accommodation which would be required to enable sittings of the District Court to be held in Tallaght would rest with Dublin County Council. The cost of the accommodation would depend on the arrangements decided on by the council but it is estimated that a purpose-built courthouse could cost as much as £500,000. As I have said before, I am satisfied that Rathfarnham District Court is adequate to cater for Tallaght business and in the circumstances I would not feel justified in putting any kind of pressure on the county council to provide costly and in my view unnecessary facilities in these times of financial stringency. If, nevertheless, the council decide to make a proposal to me in the matter I shall certainly consider it.