Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
566. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current number of cases awaiting a hearing the Court of Criminal Appeal; the average length of time awaiting a hearing at the Court of Criminal Appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3994/13]
View answer567. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the additional resources allocated to the Court Service to deal with the backlog of cases to be heard by the Court of Criminal Appeal. [3996/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 567 together.
The allocation of the business of the courts, scheduling of court cases and the management of court lists are matters for the judiciary and the Presidents of the courts. The Deputy will also be aware that judges are, subject to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the number of appeals awaiting hearing in the Court of Criminal Appeal is 162. The average waiting time for an appeal is approximately 15 months from the time an appeal is entered on the list, with all papers lodged, to when the appeal is heard. I am informed that the judiciary monitor waiting times and backlogs of court cases on an ongoing basis to ensure that delays are kept to a minimum. The Courts Service works with the judiciary to ensure that all cases are dealt with and disposed of as speedily as possible. The Service has been engaged in a modernisation programme including an end-to-end examination and reform of court processes and procedures to bring about efficiencies in the management of the courts and the services provided.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Court of Criminal Appeal consists of a Judge of the Supreme Court and two Judges of the High Court so any additional sittings would likely have implications for the Supreme Court which continues to experience lengthy waiting times. Although considerable efforts are being made to manage this, the issue of capacity in the Supreme Court can only be fully resolved through the establishment of a Court of Appeal which can deal with civil cases. This necessitates the holding of a Constitutional referendum on Article 34 to which the Government is committed and work has commenced in my Department in this regard.
