asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware of the continuing very severe hardship, inconvenience and financial loss caused to jurymen by reason of absence from their work for long periods in addition to having to travel long distances in many instances; and, if so, whether he has decided on any proposals to ease the problems at least by way of payment of travelling and subsistence allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allowances for Jury Service.
80.
As indicated in a reply to a similar question from the Deputy on 17th June last, I am awaiting a report of the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure, which has been examining the Jury question, before considering any amendment of the Juries Acts.
When I receive the report, which I expect to have within a month, I will have it examined forthwith in my Department with a view to a submission to the Government for any consequential changes in the law and procedures that may be considered necessary.
Surely the Minister will agree at this stage that when judges and barristers and everybody else concerned with the administration of the law are paid handsomely, it is rather unfair and unjust to jurymen to be, as they are, especially in rural areas, expected to travel 28 to 30 miles without any means of transport of their own, some of them with no money, and to hang around for days on end until a case is heard?
Surely that is argument?
I am asking the Minister is he aware that that is the position and, if he is, does he propose to remedy it?
I was going to say that I have considerable sympathy with the sentiments expressed by the Deputy and I understand that this is one of the matters being examined by the Committee and which I will consider very closely when I get the report.
Within a month?
Within a month I expect to get the report.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to raise on the Adjournment of the House the question of retail meat prices in this city— Question No. 42 of last Thursday.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.
I notice Fine Gael are against high prices for cattle.