Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 8

Written Answers. - Court Cases.

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

202 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases listed for hearing before the High Court in Dublin in each week since 11 January 1997; and the number of cases which have been adjourned by reason of the non-availability of a judge to hear these cases. [6324/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I assume that the Deputy is referring to personal injuries actions in the High Court. I am informed that the number of such cases listed for hearing before the High Court in each week since 13 January 1997 is as follows:

Week commenced	No. of Personal Injuries Cases
13.01.97	82
20.01.97	69
27.01.97	84
03.02.97	63
10.02.97	58
17.02.97	75
24.02.97	93

No cases were adjourned by reason of non-availability of judges. Any cases not reached on the day listed were disposed of on the next succeeding day.

The distribution and allocation of the business of the High Court is a matter for the President of that court and I have no function in the matter.

John O'Donoghue

Ceist:

203 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases listed for hearing before the Circuit Court in Dublin in each week since 11 January 1997; and the number of cases which have been adjourned by reason of the non-availability of a judge to hear these cases. [6325/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The records in the Circuit Court in Dublin are not kept in such a manner as would facilitate the supply of the information requested in the first part of the Deputy's question. I am informed that between 13 January and 28 February 1997 the number of cases listed for hearing in the Circuit Court in Dublin were as follows:

Civil	Family Law	Criminal
1,509	350	99

Of these, 20 civil cases, three family law cases and two criminal cases were not heard on the day on which they are listed and were relisted for other dates. None of these cases, however, were adjourned by reason of the non-availability of judges to hear the cases.

From 13 January to 28 February 1997, five judges were assigned to civil cases, two judges were assigned to family law cases and three judges were assigned to criminal cases and from 10 to 28 February 1997 a further additional judge was assigned to criminal cases.

I should also say that the distribution and allocation of the business of the Circuit Court is a matter for the President of that court and I have no function in the matter.