Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2015
466. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the facilities available to don robes in the Four Courts and the Courts of Criminal Justice in Dublin for barristers who are not members of the Law Library. [11461/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Courts Service Act 1998 provides that management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of facilities for court users.
However, in order to be of assistance I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service informs me that the Bar Council have leased accommodation in the Criminal Courts of Justice and, through an arrangement with the Office of Public Works, have accommodation in the Four Courts for practising Barristers who are members of the Law Library. This accommodation includes facilities for robing.
There are no specific facilities provided by the Courts Service in the Four Courts or the Criminal Courts of Justice for barristers to robe. I am informed that such facilities have never been provided by the Courts Service in these buildings.
