asked the Minister for Justice if he will authorise as a matter of urgency an inspection by the appropriate bodies of the current state of repair and maintenance of courthouses throughout the country in the light of the increasing number of complaints received from the legal profession and the judiciary with regard to courthouses which have been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Courthouses Maintenance.
33.
With certain exceptions in the Dublin area, responsibility for the provision and maintenance of courthouse accommodation is vested by law in local authorities, the great majority of whom discharge their obligations in the matter in a satisfactory manner. In the few instances in which local authorities have failed to maintain courthouses in proper condition, I already have the benefit of reports on the current state of repair of the buildings and fresh inspections are not, therefore, necessary.
As I indicated recently to the House, I have set up a committee under the chairmanship of the President of the High Court to look into the accommodation requirements of the courts in Dublin.
When will the report be available?
I do not know.
The Government have a great knack of setting up committees. They are falling over each other. We will lose track of them.
You are meant to lose track of them.
34.
asked the Minister for Justice if he has received the order granted by the President of the High Court directing him to have Drogheda courthouse repaired; and when he will have this direction complied with.
The answer to the first part of the question is "no". Until I have received and studied the High Court decision I clearly cannot comment on this matter in any way.
I understand that an order of mandamus was, in fact, granted in court. Surely if it was to be served on the Minister for Justice it was served last week?
No. The order was not granted. There was a stay of two months to enable me to consider what steps should be taken.
The Minister is going to consider the matter?
Yes.
I will repeat the question in a month's time.
The Minister will take the necessary action to keep himself out of jail?
Yes.
(Cavan): Does that mean that the Minister is on probation for two months?
In a manner of speaking.