Jack Wall
Question:38 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the areas of civil law which he considers should be consolidated; and when he intends to introduce the first consolidating Bill. [17091/97]
Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.
The Deputy will appreciate that the legislative priorities of my Department in the civil law area are as announced on 25 September 1997 by the Chief Whip in the Government's programme of legislation for the current session. None of those measures are confined solely to consolidation. However, in the context, for example, of the promised Jurisdiction of Courts and Enforcement of Judgments Bill, the purpose of which is to give effect to a convention on the accession of new EU member states to the Brussels Judgments Convention, I am taking the opportunity to consolidate all the statutory law in this area. In the course of preparing reforming legislation it is the intention of my Department to consolidate aspects of the law in such legislation where this is feasible and warranted. While I have no proposals at present for legislation that is confined solely to consolidation of civil law the matter will be kept under review having regard to the need to dispose of urgent reforming measures.