New legislation to streamline the procedure for custody arrangements and the movement of people at the new Criminal Courts of Justice has been published.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Dermot Ahern announced the publication of the Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009 this afternoon.
It provides for temporary custody arrangements for persons in custody when attending court and the establishment of court offices supporting more than one jurisdictional area.
The new Criminal Courts of Justice complex, which will be located near the Phoenix Park, is due to open early next year. Construction on the complex, which is being delivered through a Public Private Partnership (PPP), began in May 2007 and is due to be handed over to the Courts Service four months ahead of schedule in November 2009.
The complex has 450 rooms, including facilities for the public, legal practitioners, jurors, victims and their families. It will also provide a central holding facility for people in custody.
Minister Ahern said the complex is the largest court building project since the Four Courts was completed in the late 18th Century.
The Bill will be debated in the Dáil during the autumn term.
