asked the Minister for Justice whether he will make a statement on the state of arrears of business in the Dublin Circuit Court and the consequent hardship to the public; and if he is contemplating any steps to remedy the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Circuit Court Arrears.
53.
I have been concerned for some time past with the state of arrears of business in the Dublin Circuit Court which have arisen as a result of a steady increase in recent years in the number of cases of all types listed for hearing in this court. The position has been discussed with the President of the Circuit Court: in addition to a third judge temporarily assigned on a whole-time basis to the Dublin Circuit, the President of the Circuit Court has arranged that judges assigned to other circuits would render as much assistance as possible in the Dublin Circuit when not engaged in their own circuits.
These arrangements have brought about a certain improvement, but the position is still not satisfactory. I intend to keep the matter under active review with a view to taking such further steps as are open to me to bring the service to an acceptable level.