THE NEW Criminal Court of Justice in Dublin, the State’s largest courts building project since the construction of the Four Courts 300 years ago, is due to be completed four months ahead of schedule.
The glass-fronted building, which includes a “great hall”, 450 rooms and 22 courtrooms, is due to be handed over to the Courts Service in November of this year.
The new complex on Parkgate Street, near the entrance to the Phoenix Park, is being delivered through a public-private partnership. It is on schedule to open in early 2010.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said the facility would provide “vastly improved” facilities for the public, legal practitioners, jurors, victims and their families.
He published the Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009 yesterday, which promises to allow for “efficient operational procedures” at the new complex.
This legislation will allow the custody facility at the new complex to be managed by the Irish Prison Service. This, the Minister said, would help streamline the procedure for custody arrangements and the movement of people around the building.
For example, it will avoid duplication of duties by gardaí and will assist in freeing up members of the force for operational duties, Mr Ahern said.
Additional technical provisions will enable courts staff to operate in a single administrative office in support of all courts, allowing for improved flexibility and staffing arrangements.
A further minor amendment will facilitate the acceptance of bail recognisance by District Court clerks in relation to persons remanded on bail in the District Court.
Mr Ahern said he intended to bring forward the Bill for debate early in the autumn term in order to facilitate its early enactment.
Another feature of the building will be improved security and separate court facilities for individuals such as witnesses, jurors and the judiciary.
The 11-storey complex is being constructed on a site of almost 2½ acres. It will eventually house the Court of Criminal Appeal, the Special Criminal Court, the Central Criminal Court, the Circuit Criminal Court, the District Courts and associated facilities.
While the building will cost about €120 million to construct, the final bill to the taxpayer will be significantly more.
Once constructed, the Government will begin paying a monthly fee to the private firm that finances the project for the next 25 years.
As a result, the total cost of the project, in current terms, will be about €300 million when this contract runs out in 25 years.
