Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 May 1935

Vol. 56 No. 6

Committee on Finance. - Vote 36—Supreme and High Court of Justice.

Mr. Ruttledge

I move:

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £33,011 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaídh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1936, chun pé cuid de Thuarastail agus de Chostaisí Chúirt Uachtarach agus Ard-Chúirt an Bhreithiúnais nách muirear ar an bPrímh-Chiste (Uimh. 27 de 1926).

That a sum not exceeding £33,011 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1936, for such of the Salaries and Expenses of the Supreme Court and High Court of Justice as are not charged on the Central Fund (No. 27 of 1926).

Mr. Dillon

I have on more than one occasion drawn the attention of the Minister to the complaints that have come from the country with regard to appeals in the High Court and the Supreme Court. Something amounting to a grave scandal has existed in connection with these appeals. There have been in fact cases where appeals were left outstanding for two years. I do not wish to create the impression that that was the average delay but there were cases in which two years elapsed between the first hearing of the case and the appeal. I think I would not be exaggerating if I said that there was an average delay of nine months between the first hearing of the case and the decision of the Court of Appeal. In very many cases the delay was more than that. I submit that that is reacting most unfavourably on the administration of justice and steps should be taken to remedy it. At one time Special Commissioners were set up to dispose of appeals. May we hope that under the Courts of Justice Bill this will be dealt with? I think the Minister should give the House some explanation as to what plans he has in mind. I suggest he should take steps to provide that these interminable delays will become things of the past.

Mr. Ruttledge

So far as possible that matter will be dealt with under the Courts of Justice Bill. The Bill provides for a different system of hearing appeals. As the Deputy knows, I have no power at the moment to appoint extra judges or commissioners to deal with these appeals. But I understand there is a possibility, if not of having the arrears completely wiped out, at any rate, very much hurried.

Vote put and agreed to.