asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that a door on the main corridor of the Four Courts has recently been locked and is being kept locked during business hours, and that this action is causing serious inconvenience, particularly in inclement weather, to citizens lawfully using the building; and if he will give instructions that this door be unlocked at once.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Four Courts—Locking of Door.
On the reconstruction of the Four Courts consideration had to be given as to what courts were to be accommodated in the new building, and it was decided as a matter of policy that the Supreme and High Courts, the Circuit Court and the District Court, in so far as they were accommodated in the new building, should each be located in a separate and distinct part of the building and that this was the most appropriate arrangement. For this reason the door connecting the original two courtrooms of the District Court in Morgan Place with the main building was kept closed during sittings of the courts. Subsequently, on the provision of an additional courtroom for the purposes of the District Court in what was formerly the Benchers Chamber, communication between that courtroom and the main building was cut off during sittings of the courts in pursuance of the settled policy by the closing of the door referred to in the question. I am informed that the closing of this door need not cause undue inconvenience as access can be had to the main building by walking across a courtyard or without leaving the shelter of the building by taking the stairs or the lift.
A matter of high policy.
Would the Minister tell us whether this door is locked or not?