Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1122. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of residential institutions redress related cases against the State that are currently with the High Court; and the number that are awaiting a hearing in the Supreme Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38658/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Courts Service Act 1998, the management and administration of the courts is a matter for the Courts Service while the allocation of the business of the courts, scheduling of cases and management of lists are matters for the judiciary and in particular 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 they have taken "residential institutions redress related cases against the State that are currently with the High Court" to denote cases in which an applicant under the Residential Institutions Redress Act is applying to the High Court for the judicial review of a decision of the Residential Institutions Redress Board. I am informed that there are currently 24 cases in which High Court Judicial Review proceedings against the Residential Institutions Redress Board have been commenced, and in which no final order has been made. Two such cases are awaiting a hearing in the Supreme Court.
