Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 6

Written Answers. - Courts Accommodation.

John O'Donoghue

Question:

201 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the District Court sittings which take place in non-court venues; the future plans, if any, she has in relation to these sittings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3680/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

Sittings of the District Court are held in the following non-court venues:

CarlowHacketstownCavanArvaKingscourtClareCorofinEnnistymonKillydysertKillaloeLisdoonvarnaMiltown MalbayScariffShannonSixmilebridgeTullaCorkBantryBlarneyBallincolligCarrigalineCastletownbereCastlemartyrBallycastleCoachfordCobhDunmanwayGlengariffKinsale-Schull

GalwayAthenryDerryneaDerreenEyrecourtDunmoreGlenamaddyKilronanKinvaraLetterfrackMountbellewWilliamstownWoodfordKerryAnnascaulCastlegregoryCastleislandSneemBanagherTarbertWatervilleKildareKilcockKilkennyCallanThomastownUrlingtonLaoisAbbeyleix

LeitrimMohillLimerickAskeatonKilfinaneLouthDroghedaDunleerLongfordEdgeworthtownLongford/BallymahonMayoBallinrobeLismoreBelmulletClaremorrisCharlestownCrossmolinaKillalaKiltimaghMeathAthboyNavanOldcastleMonaghanBallybay

OffalyKilcormackRoscommonElphinWilliamstownBallyforanSligoCollooneySkreenRiverstownTipperaryKillenauleWaterfordCappoquinTullowWestmeathDelvinKilbegganKilucanWexfordBuncloddyGoreyWicklowBaltinglassBlessingtonShilleagh

With regard to the future plans for these sittings of the District Court, the Deputy will be aware of queries raised in court in Donegal by a solicitor concerning planning requirements for the use of rented accommodation for sittings of the District Court and the subsequent decision of the district judge concerned that he would not hear cases in places where specific planning approval had not been obtained.

Before arriving at his decision the judge had heard the views of a solicitor representing Donegal County Council who argued that such permission was not necessary. Following consultation with the Attorney General, 16 District Court areas where court sittings have up to now been held in non-court accommodation were rearranged so that hearings would be held in dedicated court facilities.

I understand that Donegal County Council, as the local authority with a statutory duty to provide court premises, has referred the question raised in relation to the need for planning consultation in these cases to An Bord Pleanála under section 5 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 for determination. I am awaiting the ruling by An Bord Pleanála in the matter before taking further action.