§ Mrs. HumbleTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether she is yet in a position to announce their proposals relating to court accommodation in Northern Ireland. [80108]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonAfter full consideration of all the information gathered during the public consultation exercise which followed the issue of the consultation document "Court Accommodation in Northern Ireland 2001–2010", I have decided that the courthouses at Clogher and Cookstown will close at the end of this year and business will be transferred to the new courthouse at Dungannon. Business currently dealt with in rented accommodation in Kilkeel will transfer to Newry courthouse.
The courthouses at Banbridge and Larne will remain as court venues as will Limavady courthouse. Hearings at Limavady courthouse will be restricted to magistrates courts adult criminal business. The future of Limavady courthouse will be reviewed in light of business trends and with particular regard to the outcome of the Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland and any changes this necessitates in court divisional boundaries.
The Court Service will conduct a feasibility study in the North Down area on the possibility of replacing the existing courthouses at Bangor and Newtownards. Consideration will also be given to upgrading or replacing the courthouse at Lisburn.