Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 6

Written Answers. - Bar Council's Proposals.

Eoin Ryan

Ceist:

33 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the discussions, if any, she has had with representatives of the Bar Council and/or the Law Society regarding the suitability of premises intended to be used as Dublin Circuit civil courts before a decision as to their suitability was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7049/96]

M. J. Nolan

Ceist:

72 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Justice when a decision was made not to accept the offer of the Bar Council to include six civil courts in its intended development at Church Street, Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7050/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 72 together.

The Bar Council's proposals were made to my Department in 1995. The proposals were forwarded to the Office of Public Works to be assessed and evaluated as would be the normal practice with any such proposals received by me. The Office of Public Works in evaluating this proposal has also to consider a number of other options for future Court accommodation and cannot consider the Bar Council's proposal in isolation.

A full report from the Office of Public Works is still awaited.

I informed the Bar Council on 2 February 1996 that I would not make any decisions until I was in possession of the evaluation of the Office of Public Works's, but if the Bar Council was pressing for a final decision, as they were at that time, then it would have to be a negative one.