Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Nov 1990

Vol. 403 No. 1

Written Answers. - Galway Probate Registry.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

163 Mr. Flanagan and Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the serious hardship being experienced by legal practitioners and members of the public resulting from the closure for some months of the district probate registry in Galway; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the principal probate registry has directed that where a primary grant has issued through a district probate registry since 1967 any Grant of Probate de bonis non must issue through that registry thus causing serious difficulties; and the steps he proposes to take to either resolve the dispute or have alternative arrangements introduced.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

For ordinary grants of probate or administration application may be made direct to the Probate Office in Dublin. I understand that grants de bonis non are rare but, in any event, arrangements have been made for the County Registrar in Galway to deal himself with any such applications that may be made.

The difficulties in this office are related to the poor condition of the staff accommodation in the courthouse building. Plans for renovation are being drawn up at present. As it is likely that the building will have to be vacated while this work is proceeding, temporary alternative accommodation for the staff is being sought as a matter of urgency. It is expected that normal services in Galway will resume as soon as the staff are relocated in improved accommodation.