asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the dissatisfaction expressed by members of a jury at a Circuit Court trial in Waterford last week as to the inadequacy of the meals provided; and if he intends to take steps to prevent a recurrence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inadequacy of Meals for Jurors.
145.
I regret that the jurors in question seem to have had cause for their complaint which was the first ever received from County Waterford jurors in this respect. My Department had not received any representations in the matter previously.
Steps have now been taken to ensure that the standard of meals supplied to jurors in criminal cases in Waterford will be satisfactory. In general, jurors in criminal cases are provided with a hot mid-day meal in a hotel or restaurant, provided that the judge approves of the jury leaving the courthouse. Otherwise the meals are brought in from outside and are served in the jurors' room.