asked the Minister for Justice the normal hours of sittings of the Dublin Metropolitan District Court (Summary Jurisdiction) and the circumstances in which the Court sits at other times; and whether it is open to any defendant to apply to a District Justice in Chambers to have the charge against him dealt with at a sitting of the Court outside the normal hours.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin District Court Sittings.
54.
Mr. Ryan
The hours of sittings of the Dublin Metropolitan District Court for summary business are fixed by the President of the District Court pursuant to s. 42 of the Courts (Supplementary Provisions) Act, 1961, and are from 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on week-days through Monday to Friday.
I am not aware of any instance in which a defendant applied to the Court to have charges against him dealt with outside of the prescribed hours.
Mr. Ryan
Would the Minister state whether a recent Press report that a charge against a member of the Government was heard after the hour of four o'clock is or is not true?
That seems to be a different question.
It is not true. It is incorrect.
Mr. Ryan
Would the Minister state what time the charge in question was heard?
I will state that it was heard during the prescribed hours, between 10.30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Mr. Ryan
Would the Minister state whether or not the court had previously adjourned on that date and sat again after the Press and the public had left the court?
That is not true.
Mr. Ryan
Would the Minister state why a senior official of the Department of Justice was sent by him to the offices of the district court in Dublin to ascertain whether any other official had advised the Press of the prosecution in question?
No such official was ever sent by me.
Mr. Ryan
Is the Minister aware that he was down there?
These supplementary questions cannot go on all day.
Mr. Ryan
Is the Minister aware he was down there? Will the Minister have disciplinary charges brought against the official, if his identity is known, who disclosed this improper information?
Perhaps you could advise me on a matter, a Cheann Comhairle? Would the term "political scavenger" be in order?
Forbearance! I had better not be pushed too far.
If the Minister starts that line we will, perhaps, ask questions about another Garda who is also, by an amazing coincidence, asked to leave.
There are some "quare" files in my Office too.
(Interruptions.)
Let us not be pushed too far.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 55 postponed.