With regard to the question of costs, I recognise that the costs at present seem to be very high, and I shall try to have representations made to the Rule-Making Committee to see if the matter can be dealt with. It seems that in certain cases the costs are altogether out of proportion. The case referred to by the High Court judge in Castlebar the other day was a case in point. I shall see what can be done to try to get a realisation that these costs are entirely excessive and that they would make litigation impossible, if they were allowed to continue. In regard to Deputy Dillon's query as to the calendar of the courts, in the High Court there is very little difference between the position this year and last year. The number of plenary summonses decreased from 893 the previous year to 830 last year, and the number of summary summonses has decreased from 3,269 to 3,122. Bankruptcy proceedings showed a slight decrease from the previous year. Last year they also showed a slight decrease. Petitions for private arrangements numbered 56. As regards arrears to date, there are practically no arrears in any branch of the High Court with the exception of Circuit Court appeals. When we had this Estimate under consideration last year, there were 154 Circuit Court appeals pending.
The number has now been reduced to 83 and it is hoped that they will be all disposed of this year. The Supreme Court calendar is up-to-date. There are no appeals there that can be considered as hanging over for any considerable length of time. I cannot say at the moment when the other vacancy in the High Court will be filled. While you may have the position that there are no arrears, it very often happens that the President of the High Court may have difficulty in arranging for judges in the different courts. The Land Commission sits on one day of the week and the judge who has to take over that work is taken away from the ordinary High Court work. I cannot say when the vacancy will be filled but I am afraid that it is necessary that it should be filled.
