Jim Higgins
Question:358 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason that the transcripts in respect of a criminal court case are not available. [29330/00]
Written Answers. - Court Procedures.
Jim Higgins
Question:359 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in providing transcripts in respect of a criminal court case (details supplied). [29331/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 359 together.
The administrative arrangements for the provision of transcripts of criminal trials are a matter for the Courts Service and I have no direct function in the matter.
Once again, I have checked with the Courts Service and it has informed me that, unusually, the verbatim note of this trial was made by three different stenographers. At the outset, the service was provided by one of the Courts Service's own staff stenographers, who was forced to withdraw after the first day due to illness. Sadly, she has since died. Two firms of freelance stenographers were engaged to complete the trial.
At the time the reply to the Deputy's previous Question was being prepared, both firms of stenographers had provided their transcripts to the Court of Criminal Appeal. It was only when the transcripts were subsequently examined by the Courts Service that it came to light that the note for the first day of the trial, which had been taken by the Courts Service's staff stenographer, was not included. As the person concerned had died, there was a delay in locating her tapes of the trial. These have been located and I understand from the Courts Service that arrangements have been made for the remaining transcript to be provided to the Court of Criminal Appeal as soon as possible.
The solicitor in question has been informed by the Courts Service of the reasons for the delay in furnishing the transcripts in this case.