Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 1

Written Answers. - Court Facilities.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

835 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to major inconveniences in Cork arising from the fact that it is no longer possible to stamp Circuit Court documents at the court house where the Circuit Court office is located; and if he will put in place a more efficient system for the payment of Circuit Court stamp duties. [1885/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

For convenience of practitioners and the general public court fee franking machines are located in every district court office. There are also 127 solicitors located throughout the country who are licensed to operate a court fee franking machine. One of the understandings when granting a licence to a solicitor to operate a court fee machine is that they will facilitate other practitioners in the area by stamping their court documents if requested.

Until August 1995 both Cork District and Cork Circuit Court offices were located in Washington Street in Cork. In August 1995 the District Court office moved to Anglesea Street and as a result of this move court fee franking facilities are no longer available in the Circuit Court office in Washington Street. However there are 16 licensed solicitors in Cork city, four of whom are located in Washington Street. It is also possible to post documents to the District Court office for stamping. Such documents are stamped and sent back by return of post.

It is intended to upgrade the court fee franking machines this year and consideration will be given to installing one in Cork Circuit Court office.