Vol. 244 No. 5
asked the Minister for Justice the number of criminal cases now awaiting hearing in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; and when the accused person most recently returned for trial is likely to have his case heard; the number of Circuit Court Judges assigned to deal with criminal cases in that Court area; and what steps will be taken to expedite hearings.
37.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of civil cases in respect of which notices of trial have been issued in the Dublin Circuit Court; when it is estimated the Court will hear the case most recently listed for hearing; the number of Circuit Court Judges assigned to deal with civil cases in that Court area; and what steps will be taken to expedite hearings.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions No. 36 and No. 37 together.
An accused person returned for trial in the Dublin Circuit Court will, if he is in custody, normally have his case heard in the term in which he is returned for trial. If the accused is on bail, there is at present a delay of about 14 months.
Notices of trial have been issued in 327 civil cases, and the case most recently set down will be reached in three to four months.
At present, the president of the circuit court has assigned two judges to criminal trials, and two judges to civil business and criminal appeals.
For the other information sought by the Deputy, I would refer him to my reply to a similar question yesterday.
