andMr. Creed asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that 540 jurors were summoned from Cork county to serve as jurors at the criminal sittings of the Circuit Court at Cork commencing 8th November, 1966; if so, if he will state the reason for the enormous increase on the number heretofore summoned; and why the 540, mostly farmers, were summoned to appear on the first day when it must have been obvious that only a very small percentage would be required.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Jury Summonses.
20.
The question of the number of jurors to be summoned for a particular sittings of the Circuit Court falls to be determined under the present law by the appropriate Sheriff or Sheriffs and I have no function in the matter. The law requires that the number so determined shall be reasonably sufficient, having regard to all probable contingencies, for the trial of all issues which will require to be tried with a jury at the sittings.
As a result of inquiries which I have caused to be made in the matter, I am satisfied that, on the basis of the information available up to the latest date on which the panel was required to be prepared for the Cork sittings referred to, it was reasonable to provide for an attendance of 540 jurors. Moreover, the law requires that the full panel of jurors be summoned to attend on the first day of the sittings.
The general question of jury service is under consideration at present, following the recommendation made by the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure in its Second Interim Report and I hope to bring amending legislation before the House in the near future.
Surely the Minister will agree that 540 jurors for a three-week sitting of the Cork court was most unreasonable in the circumstances? Will the Minister now tell us if he will amend the law to ensure that 540 will not be called when only 12 can act each day for sittings.
I have said that the question is under examination.
Can I be assured now that the calling of the 540 jurors had nothing to do with the protest of the NFA here in Dublin?
The country registrar is a Fine Gael man.
Can I have the Deputy's assurance that he is simply being jocose?
I am not; they were mostly farmers.