asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he is aware that proceedings in the High Courts were, at the suit of the Land Commission, instituted against John Walsh, Dreeny, Skibbereen, and John Sullivan, Derrylugga, Skibbereen, for the recovery of compounded arrears of rent; whether, in view of the very heavy costs of such proceedings, he will state why same could not have been instituted in the Circuit Court, and, further, whether, in view of the very heavy costs charged by State solicitors in such cases, he will state whether any scale of costs is fixed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - COMPOUNDED ARREARS OF RENT.
Mr. HOGAN
Proceedings in the High Court were instituted by the Land Commission against John Walsh and John Sullivan for arrears due by them amounting, respectively, to £45 and £34 13s. 9d. The amount due in Sullivan's case was paid with costs. In Walsh's case the proceedings were stayed pending hearing of an objection filed by him to amount of his rent, and as his objection was upheld by the Judicial Commissioner, he has not been charged any costs in respect of the proceedings for the amount sued for. At the time these proceedings were instituted the new Circuit Courts were not in existence.
Mr. MURPHY
The Minister must not forget that the County Courts were functioning, and that a Deputy County Court Judge was sitting at the time.
Mr. HOGAN
I am not aware that that would make any difference. I am not clear that the County Court would have jurisdiction, but I can make inquiries.
Can the Minister give particulars as to the number of writs issued in respect of arrears throughout the country?
Mr. HOGAN
I would have to get notice of that question. I could not give an accurate answer off-hand.