What does the Bill contain? What is in the Bill?
Courts Bill, 1973: First Stage.
Leave granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend the Courts of Justice Acts, 1924 to 1961, and the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Acts, 1961 to 1971.
—(Minister for Justice).
There are two provisions, one to validate the appointments of Circuit Court judges and the second to increase the maximum number of High Court judges. I might mention, for the benefit of the Deputy, that arrangements were made to send copies of the Bill to the Deputy's party rooms last Friday but there was nobody there to receive them.
Copies were received today.
Then the Bill should have reached Deputy Andrews.
I did not receive a copy.
As a matter of information, in view of the implication that there was nobody in our party rooms, I should like to inform the Minister that I was in my office right up to half past five that evening and at eight o'clock there were two other members of our party also in the party rooms meeting members of the SDLP so the suggestion we were not around the place is completely unfounded.
I was in my office up to 6 p.m. on last Friday and no documents arrived there.
Then there is some misunderstanding because my information——
Apologise.
I was informed that a member of the Fianna Fáil staff said there was nobody there to receive the documents.
Next stage?
Next Tuesday, if that suits the Deputy, and the Deputy can read the Bill in the meantime.
I want to make sure of what is in the Bill.
Second Stage ordered for Tuesday, 13th November, 1973.