The Government has approved plans today for the biggest investment in the criminal justice system since the landmark Four Courts complex was built over 200 years ago.
A dedicated criminal court facility, costing an estimated €100 million, will be established to deal with the surging crime rates over the last few years.
Mr PJ Fitzpatrick, chief executive, Courts Service
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, approved the funding for the public private partnership in today's Book of Estimates. He said this meant that for the first time, the administration of justice would be separated, with civil dealings staying in the Four Courts and criminal matters dealt with in the new complex.
The facility, which will be built on state-owned land in Dublin city centre, is to contain 23 courtrooms, which will hold facilities for video-conferencing, digital recording and electronic display of evidence.
The Courts Service is planning to begin construction early in 2006.
Mr PJ Fitzpatrick, the chief executive of the Courts Service, said: "Over the past number of years a major need has emerged for a dedicated Criminal Court Complex for Dublin.
"The criminal courts and the Four Courts complex have struggled to cope with the levels of business presenting itself."
Mr Fitzpatrick said there were over 400,000 criminal matters dealt with last year and the landmark facility would cater for all the criminal court business in Dublin.