THE Minister for Justice has denied that the provision of courtrooms for new judges was being held up by the Government.
The Bar Council has offered to build courtrooms on a site in Church Street, Dublin, and rent them to the State. Ms Owen said yesterday this plan was being examined by the Office of Public Works.
In the short term, she said, extra accommodation for new judges had already been identified and would be made available under the recently enacted Courts and Court Officers Act.
"Clearly the Bar Council is of the opinion, based on its proposal to the Department of Justice, that the inclusion of court facilities will enhance the possibility of obtaining tax benefits," Ms Owen said.
Last night the Bar Council "strongly rejected" any suggestion that its motive in offering to include space for courtrooms in the proposed development was merely to attract tax incentives.