Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 6

Written Answers. - Cork Circuit Court.

Peter Barry

Question:

95 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Justice if litigants are experiencing delays in having civil actions tried at Cork Circuit Court; if so, the extent of these delays; if criminal cases at the Cork Circuit Court are similarly affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I am informed that there are delays of approximately twenty-four months in the hearing of civil cases in Cork Circuit Court. These delays occur partly as a result of the increase in the jurisdiction levels of the Circuit Court arising from the Courts Act, 1991. Ways of reducing them are being considered as part of an overall review designed to assess the impact of the alteration in court jurisdiction levels which is under way in my Department at present.

However, it must be emphasised that there are other reasons for delays in the hearing and disposal of civil cases. Indeed, in many instances, cases are not pressed forward by or are adjourned at the request of legal advisers in the interests of their clients.

There are no delays in the hearing of criminal cases in Cork Circuit Court.