Vol. 454 No. 2
20 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases listed for hearing at Cork courthouse that were subsequently transferred to Dublin at the request of the accused in each of the years 1992 to 1994; the additional cost to the State of such transfers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10410/95]
The number of cases listed for hearing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court which were subsequently transferred to Dublin at the request of the accused in each of the years 1992, 1993 and 1994 was 34, 91 and 42 respectively. These figures refer to the number of individual defendants who had their cases transferred.
The accused's rights to request a transfer to Dublin are governed by the provisions of section 31 of the Courts Act, 1981. I am examining this provision in the context of my review of the Courts and Court Officers Bill, 1994 and I will announce any proposals for reform in the normal way.
The information sought by the Deputy regarding the additional cost to the State of such transfers is not readily available and could be compiled only by the allocation of scarce staff resources from other more important tasks which would not be warranted.
