asked the Minister for Justice if any steps are being taken to have jurors adequately compensated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compensation for Jurors.
30.
The Second Interim Report of the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure which was published on 19th November, 1965, recommends that persons sworn as jurors should receive remuneration at the rate of £2 a day, the cost to be borne by the State. The Report also recommends that, where the trial judge is satisfied that a juror is obliged to seek accommodation overnight, the cost of such accommodation should be borne by the State.
I have also received from the Committee two further Interim Reports dealing with other aspects of the jury system, namely, Jury Trial in Civil Actions and Jury Challenges. These two further Reports are at present being printed and will be published shortly.
The contents of the three Interim Reports on juries are at present being examined in my Department. I hope to submit proposals to the Government for the amendment of the law as soon as I have had an opportunity of gauging public reaction to the recommendations in the Reports.
Is the figure of £2 a day exclusive of meals?
Yes, exclusive.
(Cavan): Is it exclusive of meals in civil cases?
That is the recommendation from the Committee.
(Cavan): The Minister knows, of course, that in civil cases meals are not provided.
In some cases they are.