Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 1

Written Answers. - Court System Report.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

168 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice if it is intended to publish the report on the court system; the plans, if any, she has to bring the court system into the 21st century; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10780/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

On 21 May 1996 I obtained Government approval to publish the First Report of the Working Group on a Courts Commission — Management and Financing of the Courts. The report is now available for sale from the Government Publications Sales Office. The work of the Hon. Mrs. Justice Denham and her colleagues in the working group in producing such a far-reaching report is to be commended.

I also obtained Government approval for acceptance in principle of the primary recommendation of the report that an independent and permanent body should be established to manage a unified courts system. This body would be known as "the Courts Service" and would be set up by statute as an agency of the State. The report recommends that the new service be managed on a day to day basis by a chief executive officer of departmental Secretary rank and that it should have a board chaired by the Chief Justice and consisting of members of the Judiciary and representatives of those using or otherwise involved in the courts, and the chief executive.

I believe that such an agency would centralise the financial and management administration of the courts in a unified system capable of meeting the demands of modern day litigation. As a result of the Government decision, the working group is being asked to submit further reports to me on how the establishment of "the Courts Service" can be progressed. The working group will also be continuing its work in accordance with its terms of reference to review the day to day operation of the courts and I look forward to receiving further reports in this regard.

The Government has undertaken in its Programme for Government,A Government of Renewal, to carry out a fundamental reform of the courts system and to establish a commission on the management of the courts as an independent and permanent body with financial and management autonomy. The first report of the working group and the Government decision of 21 May are very significant steps in the reform of the courts system. Another important development has been the enactment of the Courts and Court Officers Act, 1995. Under that Act, 15 additional judges will be appointed this year. The Act also introduced administrative and procedural reforms to simplify and speed up the processing of cases through the courts and enhance the overall efficiency of the courts system. I am committed to using the resources available to me to provide a modern, efficient and effective courts system which will provide a speedy, accessible and just service.