asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that there is a serious back-log of cases awaiting trial in the High Court in Cork, with a present delay of 12 months; and the steps he proposes to take to remedy the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork High Court Cases.
4.
I am aware that a backlog of cases awaiting trial by jury exists in Cork as, indeed, it does in the High Court generally. The average time-lag between the setting down of an action for trial by jury and its coming up for hearing is nine and a half months in the High Court generally and 12 months in Cork.
One way of dealing with this problem would be to increase the number of judges, and I am considering the possibility of proposing legislation for that purpose. There are, however, practical problems in relation to accommodation which have to be solved. Moreover an important recent development has been the making by the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure of its Twentieth Interim Report which, inter alia, recommends a substantial transfer of jurisdictions from the High Court to the lower courts. The effect of these recommendations, if implemented, could result in a substantial reduction in the overall volume of business of the High Court, thus releasing judicial time in that court to deal with the back-log of jury actions.
I am having the report and the problem of arrears studied, and I will make my proposals in the matter as soon as possible.
On the principle that justice delayed is justice denied, the Minister will agree that delays of nine or 12 months are very unsatisfactory. Would the Minister seriously consider the setting up of a permanent High Court in Cork or alternatively having extra sittings of the court in Cork and other provincial centres?
I accept what is behind the Deputy's supplementary question. I am concerned about the delay, and the situation appears to be disimproving. I propose to take whatever action is necessary to reduce considerably the amount of time a person has to wait for litigation.
In view of the difficulty in appointing additional judges, would the Minister consider extending, even on a temporary basis, the number of hours which courts sit? This might clear up the back-log.
I am concerned about the delay of nine months in the Dublin area and 12 months or more in the Cork area, and I propose in the very near future to take steps to shorten the time.
When the Minister says he accepts that there are delays, does he acknowledge that he is the person responsible for cutting the delays? We all share this concern. When will the Minister take action?
I have already answered that question twice.
The Minister is making pious statements.