Debate contribution: Limavady Courthouse
Debate contribution by Mrs Naomi Long on .
- MLA
- Mrs Naomi Long
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 28 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Limavady Courthouse
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5762112
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The Member raises probably the key point in all of it. All Members are aware of the adequacy of our courts estate. Many of the buildings are listed buildings and historic buildings. Many of them are beautiful buildings, but they are not fit for current court business or for organising court business in the way that we would wish. It is really important that we look at that to see how we can do things better. It is important to me that we do not allow heritage buildings, listed buildings and buildings of quality to fall into disrepair. I do not have the money in my budget to do anything other than basic maintenance in Limavady courthouse at the moment. However, if I were to make a decision that would lead to its closure, I would want to think about what that building could be used for. I suggest to the Member that it would be worth visiting the Court House in Bangor, which was taken on by Open House. It received significant lottery funding and has become a real asset at the seafront in Bangor. It is widely used by arts organisations and for many other purposes and has become a new community hub. It is also in absolutely pristine condition. There are opportunities for a part of East Londonderry that, perhaps, often feels overlooked to benefit from the building and put it to better use than being used for, perhaps, at best, half a day of court business each week. I want to discuss that with elected representatives in the area as part of the overall discussions.
269 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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