I propose to answer Questions Nos. 170 and 172 together. I can inform the Deputy that my Department has agreed to accept the site referred to by the Deputy in exchange for the old courthouse site in Fair Street, Drogheda. The Office of Public Works has now been requested to liaise with Drogheda Corporation on the matter of the site boundaries and to act as the Department's agent for the building project. At this stage, it is too early to give precise details of the timescale for design and construction other than to say that I am committed to ensuring that proper court facilities are made available in Drogheda, and that funding will be made available for the project. It is proposed that the new court accommodation to be provided will be capable of accommodating sittings of both the District and Circuit Courts. Accommodation for the District Court office and ancillary court facilities are also to be provided. In the meantime Drogheda Corporation has provided alternative accommodation for the District Court office.
With regard to the return of the Circuit Court to Drogheda, the Deputy will appreciate that under the terms of section 10 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1947, the fixing of venues within a Circuit Court circuit is a matter for the President of the Circuit Court in consultation with the Circuit Court judge permanently assigned to that circuit.
