asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that in many areas of law English "Law Books", which are now becoming increasingly out of date, are the only authoritative books available; and if he will consider the establishment of a commission to compile, edit and publish a comprehensive series on the Laws of Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Legal Reference Works.
32.
A number of books on various aspects of Irish law have been published privately in recent years, including a series under the auspices of the Incorporated Law Society under the general title "Modern Law Publications".
Apart from that, there is a long-standing arrangement whereby public funds are available to support the writing and publication of legal texts. This arrangement operates in conjunction with the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting, a body which includes the Chief Justice, the President of the High Court, the Attorney General and representatives both of the Bar Council and of the Incorporated Law Society. Under that arrangement, three legal textbooks have been published and three others are at various stages of preparation. I can think of no better qualified body than this to encourage and support the writing of text books and I see no point in setting up some other body to deal with the matter. The very first requirement, for any text book, is the willingness of a competent person to undertake the job of writing it and it is that, and not the absence of funds, which is the limiting factor.
Is the Minister aware that while there has been an improvement in dealing with this problem in recent years in having a number of textbooks published on individual legal aspects, there is no general series of law books in this country comparable to the situation in England where you have Halsbury's "Laws of England"? If the Minister is so aware does he not accept that it would be in the interests of the public that they should be able to find out from some authority what the position is in relation to any matter and that it would be a good idea——
This is a long statement.
I shall finish with this—to establish such a series here, that the cost would be large and there-fore would have to be Government-backed?
I am quite prepared to examine the Deputy's suggestion to see if it is practicable and if we can afford it.
Would the Minister refer the suggestion to the bodies mentioned for further discussion?
I do not want to go any further than saying I am prepared to examine the proposal for what it is worth and to take whatever steps I think should be taken as a result of that examination.