Vol. 471 No. 8
38 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Justice the terms of reference of the recently proposed independent and permanent board to be known as the Courts Service; and when such a board will be established on a statutory basis. [21774/96]
42 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to implement the recommendations of the Denham Committee on the management of the courts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21814/96]
51 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice when responsibility for the administration of the courts will be removed from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21799/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 42 and 51 together. In November 1995, I established the Working Group on a Courts Commission to review and report to me on the operation of the courts and the establishment of a commission on the management of the courts as an independent and permanent body with financial and management autonomy. That group recommended in its first report that an independent and permanent body be established to manage a unified courts system; this body to be known as the Courts Service and to be created by statute as an agency of the State. I obtained Government approval in principle for this recommendation in May 1996. On 12 November the Government agreed to the establishment of such a Service as approved in principle in May.
The Working Group on a Courts Commission submitted its third report to me on 18 November 1996 advising on the steps necessary to establish the Courts Service. This report sets out a proposed legal framework for the Courts Service and broad managerial approaches to the changing management structure of the courts. As regards the terms of reference of the Courts Service, its functions will be set out in legislation. I obtained Government approval on Tuesday, 19 November for steps to be taken as a matter of urgency to legislate for a Courts Service as advised and for the priority drafting of this Bill.
