The amount estimated under this head is £150,507. This is a service that we got over. I do not know that we have added to it. I think it will be observed that it is much smaller than last year. They are protected under the terms of the Treaty, and I do not know that in view of what the Minister for Home Affairs said that any useful purpose could be served by discussing it. However, I am willing to do so.
DAIL IN COMMITTEE. ESTIMATES. - SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE.
I take it that the trimmings dealt with on page 3 will come under the supervision of the Commission that the Minister for Home Affairs was speaking about. I am not sure whether it ought to come under the operations of the Commission to enquire into the legal system, and I wonder whether there is any other body that could deal with the functions, duties and responsibilities of the train-bearers to the Lord Justices of the Appeal and the Purse-bearer and such offices. I hope, at any rate, that some authority will take into consideration, before the next financial year begins, the wisdom of just overlooking these items to see if they serve any useful function or purpose, and, if not, to cut them out; if so, to give them a better name. I notice that there has been, as compared with last year, a reduction of two offices, at any rate, in the Lord Chief Justice's office. There is still £200 for train bearers, and similarly in the other courts. I only just draw attention to that, because I think we ought, if possible, to get away from these offices and posts, which are useless. I do not mind keeping in being offices that are of a ceremonial kind, provided they are serving some useful purpose, and even if they retained the old name I am not much concerned.
There is a rather important matter here. I notice that the Lord Chief Justice is being deprived of his train-bearers, whereas the Master of the Rolls is enabled to keep his. I wonder whether that has anything to do with the recent decision of the Master of the Rolls. I suppose this Estimate was made up before that.
No.
Motion made and question put: "That the Dáil in Committee, having considered the Estimates for the Supreme Court of Judicature in 1922-23, and having passed a Vote on Account of £86,000 for the period to the 6th December, 1922, recommend that the full Estimate of £150,507 for the Financial Year, 1922-23, be adopted in due course by the Oireachtas."
Agreed.