asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the amount of fines imposed on non-attending jurors for each year since 1922, and the amount collected; also, if he will state to what fund the money so collected is devoted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Jurors' Fines.
The amounts actually recovered in respect of fines imposed on non-attending jurors for each year since 1922, taking all the Saorstát Courts together, are:—1923, £10; 1924, £114; 1925, £138; 1926, £99; 1927, £77; 1928, £60; 1929 (first nine months), £68.
Since 1927 these sums are payable into the Exchequer under the terms of the Juries Act, 1927, Sections 46, 50 and 51 of which govern the imposition, remission and collection of these fines. I have not any figures showing the amounts originally imposed as compared with the amounts ultimately recovered. The Deputy will understand that the amount originally imposed is frequently reduced or altogether remitted by the Judge, acting under the Sections referred to. It may be assumed, however, that the fines as ultimately settled by the Judge are almost invariably recovered.