asked the Minister for Justice whether he proposes taking any steps to alter the present expensive and unsatisfactory system of appeals from Circuit Court decisions.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - APPEALS FROM CIRCUIT JUDGES' DECISIONS.
Mr. LITTLE (for Mr. Ruttledge)
Mr. FITZGERALD-KENNEY
Whether the present system of appeals from Circuit Court decisions requires amendment cannot be decided until the new Circuit Court Rules, which I intend to bring before both Houses of the Oireachtas within the next month, have been in operation for a reasonable space of time.
Mr. LITTLE
Is the Minister aware that there is considerable inconvenience caused to the profession by the delay in holding up the rules of the Circuit Court?
Mr. FITZGERALD-KENNEY
That is so. The Circuit Court Rules have been very considerably delayed but questions of great difficulty arose on their drafting and I am glad to say now they are practically all solved. It was not by any means an easy undertaking. It is necessary to make the rules, not perfect, but as nearly perfect as we can, to begin with. I can assure the Deputy that we did not spare ourselves in the task.
Captain REDMOND
Would the Minister consider the advisability of having a general review of the working of the Courts of Justice Act with a view to possible improvement and amendment?
Mr. FITZGERALD-KENNEY
Is the Deputy now speaking on the question of appeals?
Captain REDMOND
No, not only on appeals.
Mr. FITZGERALD-KENNEY
There are certain matters on which the Courts of Justice Act would require certain amendments, and amendments will be submitted to this House very soon.