asked the Minister for Finance (a) the present staffing arrangements of the Law Reform Commission, (b) if he is satisfied that these are adequate to permit a reasonable output from the commission, and (c) if he will consider making further finance available to permit an expansion of the role and work of the Law Reform Commission.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Law Reform Commission.
31.
(a) The authorised staffing of the Law Reform Commission is three research counsellors—two of these posts are vacant but are in the process of being filled; one legal assistant to the President of the commission; one secretary; one clerical officer; three clerical assistants; (b) The authorised staffing is in accord with the request of the commission and is adequate to permit a reasonable output from the commission; (c) In view of the reply to section (b) the question of making further finance available does not arise.
Do I gather from the Minister's reply that there is only one research counsellor working with the Law Reform Commission?
There are three research counsellors.
I understood the Minister to state that two of the posts are vacant.
Two posts are vacant and they are in the process of being filled.
Therefore, there is only one research counsellor with the Law Reform Commission. Does the Minister accept that this is a highly unsatisfactory situation? Does he accept that we cannot expect output of any consequence from the commission in this situation?
The two counsellors are being recruited.
Can the Minister give any indication of when the vacancies will be filled?
There will be no delay.
Can the Minister give any indication as to when they will be filled? Have the posts been advertised?
The only information I have is that the matter is having urgent attention. There will be no delay in replacing the two people.
I should like to ask the Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to request the Attorney General to ask the Law Re-form Commission for their opinion on the question of whether trials in the High Court on issues of negligence should be taken away from juries and given to judges alone?
That is a separate question.
Would the Minister draw the attention of the Minister for Justice to my question?
I will.