asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the great loss and inconvenience caused to farmers, business people and others in West Cork who are summoned to act as jurors in Cork City; that at the sittings of the Circuit and High Court on circuit many of them have to traval a distance of 60 or 70 miles at their own expense and have to maintain themselves in Cork often for a week or ten days; and if, in view of these circumstances, he proposes to introduce legislation to enable all persons who are summoned to act as jurors to be paid a reasonable fee for their services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - West Cork Jurors.
Jurors are not required to attend at sittings of the High Court on circuit. As regards the Circuit Court, consideration is given to the claims of jurors for recoupment of expenses in cases where they have to incur the expense of a taxi or, in the alternative, of hotel accommodation. It is not proposed to introduce legislation to provide for the payment of fees for jury service in criminal cases, but I shall consider an extension of the present arrangements as regards travelling expenses.