asked the Minister for Justice whether, in view of the transport difficulties occasioned to litigants in West Wicklow who have to travel to Wicklow town for Circuit Court cases, he will give sympathetic consideration to the question of permitting such cases to be dealt with at Circuit Court hearings in County Kildare, which is much easier of access to residents in West Wicklow.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wicklow Circuit Court Cases.
Mr. Boland
I will have the matter looked into but there are objections to the solution of the difficulty which the Deputy proposes.
Would the Minister mind communicating the result of the examination to me?
Mr. Boland
Very well.
Is the Minister aware that it would be highly outrageous to expect the people of Wicklow to conduct their litigation in Deputy Norton's constituency? Is he not aware that there is in Baltinglass suitable courthouse accommodation and other accommodation also for the holding of a Circuit Court there?
Mr. Boland
There are difficulties in the matter. At present, the Circuit Court is based on the county, but there are other difficulties.
Is the Minister aware that the Circuit Court only sits in Wicklow town? A litigant cannot make the judge move his court to Baltinglass if the judge decides to sit in Wicklow as he persists in doing, and is within his rights in doing. The purpose of my question is not to ask the litigants in West Wicklow to go to Dublin and then travel down the other side of the coast in order to get to Wicklow town if they can get their cases heard within ten miles of where they live, at much less expense to themselves, and if they had a court sitting in County Kildare. I am merely concerned with the consequences of this to litigants.
Is the Minister aware that there have been repeated requests for Circuit Court sittings in Baltinglass?
Mr. Boland
I will look into the matter.