Before passing to the other business, I wish to refer to the question of the Rules of Court. The House may recollect that yesterday there was considerable opposition, in view of the suggestion of the Minister for Justice that these rules should be taken into consideration and disposed of to-morrow. I have had correspondence with the Minister, and he quite recognises that it would not be reasonable to persist in that request to the Seanad, but, at the same time, I am sure that the House will be anxious, so far as we can, to consult his personal convenience in the matter. He is a very hard worked Minister and I am sure he deserves a holiday, probably more so than most of us. He proposes to leave for the country shortly but has to be back in the Dáil on the 20th instant. He suggests that we should meet on Thursday 22nd instant for the purpose of considering these rules. If the House agrees to that, I suggest that it ought to-day or to-morrow refer these rules to a small Select Committee and that that Committee be asked to meet next week, so that their report on the rules could be circulated not later than Monday, 19th instant. That would give members an additional interval of three days, after receiving the report of the Committee, to consider these rules. They will not, of course, be bound by the Committee's report but it will be of assistance to them when they come to consider the rules. If the House agrees with that suggestion it will be necessary for someone to propose the formation of the Committee, and, if that is approved, I think it should be left to the Selection Committee to nominate the members on that Committee. If the House approves, I will ask that that be done to-day or to-morrow.
I would suggest, if I may do so, that the Selection Committee in making their selection should have two matters in view. They should, first, if possible, have the business element of the community represented on the Committee and, secondly, as far as possible, select members who are living in the vicinity of Dublin, as that will dispense with the necessity of bringing Senators from distant parts of the country. This Committee would have to meet two or three times at least to consider their report. Might I also suggest to the Committee, that in considering the report they would pay special regard to the suggested schedules of fees and costs in the Circuit Courts and District Courts. Speaking for myself, in the brief interval I have had at my disposal to go into the matter, it seems to me that they are rather on the excessive side. I understand that the view taken by the Minister on that does not differ from mine, and I have been told that already he had a conference with the Committee that drafted the District Court Rules, with the result that they have agreed to substantial modifications in the fees and expenses. I think it is well worth the while of every Senator, particularly those interested in commercial matters, to study these rules and schedules for themselves, so that they will be able to form an independent judgment on them. I would suggest that in the interval between now and the 22nd inst., it will afford them useful and healthy occupation.
The resolution I suggest that might be passed is that the Rules of Court for the Supreme Court, the High Court, the Circuit Court, and the District Court be referred to a special Committee for consideration and report, such report to be presented to the Seanad and circulated to Senators not later than Monday, July 19th, and that a meeting of the Seanad be convened for Thursday, 22nd July, for consideration of the report and for approval or otherwise of the rules.
