asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the volume of legal business in Dún Laoghaire, he will arrange for the Circuit Court to sit there.
Written Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Circuit Court Sitting.
210.
The question of holding sittings of the Circuit Court in Dún Laoghaire has been examined at various times in the past and the view has always been taken that the proposal has little to commend it. As regards criminal business there are practical reasons why this should continue to be heard in Dublin. As regards civil business I would remind the Deputy that, even if there were Circuit Court sittings in Dún Laoghaire, the parties, or their legal advisers, in such cases would have the option of selecting Dublin rather than Dún Laoghaire as the trial venue. Because most solicitors have their offices in Dublin, and as members of the Bar would not be as readily available in Dún Laoghaire as they are in Dublin, this is an option that would be widely exercised.
However, as I am sure the Deputy is aware, the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure, in its Twelfth Interim Report has recommended that the jurisdictions of the District and Circuit Courts be substantially increased. Such an increase in the jurisdiction of the District Court in Dún Laoghaire would, of course, have the effect of transferring to Dún Laoghaire a considerable amount of business now dealt with in the Dublin Circuit Court. As I indicated in reply to Question No. 12 of 27 March last I hope to bring legislation based on the committee's recommendations before the House reasonably soon.