Vol. 459 No. 3
147 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, in relation to the Working Group on a Courts Commission, the reason it was decided not to include practising solicitors and barristers and court officials such as a District Court Clerk or a County Registrar, who work in the courts on a day-to-day basis and who would have the best knowledge of the day-to-day running of the current system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18004/95]
The membership of the working group on a courts commission is as follows: the Hon. Mrs. Justice Susan Denham, Supreme Court; the Hon. Mr. Justice Ronan Keane, High Court; his Honour, Judge Kevin O'Higgins, Circuit Court; her Honour, Judge Catherine McGuinness, Circuit Court (Family Law); Mr. Peter Smithwick, President, District Court; Mr. Anthony Hederman, Chairman of The Law Reform Commission; Mr. Ken Murphy, Director General of The Law Society; Mr. James Nugent, S.C., Chairman of the Bar Council; Mr. Ken Wright, management consultant; Mr. John Rogers, SC; Ms Róisín McDermott, Chairwoman of Women's Aid; and Mr. Kevin Duffy Asst. General Secretary, ICTU.
The group has the following terms of reference. First, to review the operation of the Courts system, having regard to the level and quality of service provided to the public, staffing, information technology, etc; the financing of the Courts system, including the current relationship between the Courts, the Department of Justice and the Oireachtas in this regard; and any other aspect of the operation of the Courts system which the group considers appropriate. Second, in the light of the foregoing review, to consider the matter of the establishment of a commission on the management of the Courts as an independent and permanent body with financial and management autonomy (as envisaged in the December 1994 document entitled A Government of Renewal). Third, to have investigative, advisory and recommendation functions and to make a report (and any interim reports and recommendations as they see fit) to the Minister for Justice on the foregoing matters.
In deciding on the composition of the group, I was conscious of the need to avoid having a group which would be so large as to be unwieldy, while at the same time having the balance and range of experience necessary to discharge its mandate in an efficient and effective, way. I believe that the group I have selected meets these criteria.
The Deputy will be aware that submissions from interested parties have been sought by the group. It should be noted that a public advertisement was placed calling for submissions by 22 December 1995 and also a number of sub-groups will be working on different aspects and they will be able to discuss relevant areas with interested parties. All interests, including those mentioned by the Deputy, will have a full opportunity to express their views to the group on matters coming within its terms of reference.
