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G A Z E T T E
N O V E M B E R
1976
DAIL QUESTION, 16 December, 1976
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
Mr. Moore asked the Minister for Justice if he will
make a statement on the call by the President of the
Incorporated Law Society for an adequate increase in
judicial appointments to help clear the number of cases
before the Courts and for the re-organisation of the
Courts.
Minister for Justice (Mr. Cooney): I have seen
Press reports of the statement to which the Deputy
refers. The case-volumes in the various Courts are the
subject of continuous review in my Department. One
of the objects of this exercise is to ensure that the
ratio of judges to case-volumes is maintained at an
adequate level.
The recent unprecedented and rapid development
of arrears in the disposal of Court cases, especially in
the Dublin Circuit Court, has been the subject of a
special study in my Department. As a result, I have
already initiated discussions with the various interests
involved in the processing of Court cases with a view
to seeing whether certain proposals that have emerged
from the study can be implemented so as to eliminate
the arrears as quickly as possible.
The problem in Dublin cannot be solved quickly
by simply increasing the number of judges. Additional
courtroom accommodation must first be made avail-
able, and while the study revealed that more intensive
utilisation of existing courtrooms in Dublin could
enable more judicial time to be devoted to the disposal
of the arrears in the Dublin Circuit Court, what is
really needed is additional courtroom accommodation
suitable for jury trials. The problem of providing such
additional accommodation is far more complex than
it may appear to be. It is not just simply a question
of finding large rooms in which cases can be heard;
it also involves the provision of essential ancillary
accommodation such as retiring rooms for juries and
so on. It is also desirable for the convenience of legal
practitioners and, hence, for the convenience of people
appearing before the Courts, that such accommodation
be located fairly close to the Fourt Courts.
The Committee on Court Accommodation, set up
some time ago, have found that there is no suitable
and suitably located premises available that would serve
as a temporary solution to the problem. However,
on the committee's recommendation, the hotel site
which adjoins the Four Courts complex is in the pro-
cess of being acquired and the necessary legal steps
to complete the acquisition are now being taken. The
purpose of acquiring this site is to erect on it an office
block which will form an integral part of the Four
Courts complex and will permit the redevelopment of
the existing accommodation within the Four Courts so
as to provide a number of additional courtroms.
The provision of at least one additional jury court-
room for the Dublin Circuit Court cannot await the
redevelopment of the hotel site. Accordingly, a lease
of office accommodation close to the Four Courts is in
the final stages of being negotiated and plans are well
advanced for the transfer of some courts' staffs to this
accommodation and the redevelopment of their present
quarters as a jury court complex.
I do not know precisely what was intended by the
suggestion that, apart from the excellent work done
by the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure,
there has been no specific investigation or inquiry into
the overall organisation of the Courts but it seems to
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me that, if the Law Society have any proposals to make
in that regard, the most appropriate thing for them to
do is to submit their proposals to that committee
which, of course, is still in existence and to whose
excellent work I join with the Society in paying a well-
deserved tribute.
Mr. Moore: 1 should like to thank the Minister for
his most comprehensive reply. What worries a layman
is the possibility that a person could be remanded in
custody for a lengthy period just because the courts
cannot reach his case. Is that the position?
Mr. Cooney: It is possible but unlikely because one
of the factors the court takes into account in deciding
whether to grant bail is the possible length of remand.
It is my understanding that if there is a likelihood of
a long remand bail is given by the courts. However, it
is a matter for the courts and I am not saying that
what I have indicated is an absolute rule.
The First Bayside Village Development
Society Limited Residents Association
The Management Committee of the First Bayside
Village Development Society Ltd. would like to draw
solicitors' attention again to Item 19, 4th Schedule
Lease of Bayside, which deals with transfer of shares
of this Society.
Failure by solicitors to comply with this Item in the
conveyancing of a number of sales in Bayside is viewed
in a very serious light as it is the custom of the above
Society to ensure that all monies owing to it are paid
before any transfer is approved.
Any queries regarding the above should be sent to:
Mrs. Deirdre Spend love, Secretary, 42 Sutton Downs,
Sutton, Co. Dublin.
SOLICITOR, GRADE I
Dublin Corporation (2 posts)
Salary: £5,998 - £6,817. (Entry above minimum
possible).
Essential: Admission and enrolment as a Solicitor
in the State and three years experience,
including experience of Court work.
Maximum age limit: 55 years.
SOLICITOR, GRADE II
Dublin County Council (2 posts)
Salary: £4,402 - £5,998.
Essential: Admission and enrolment as a Solicitor
in the State and satisfactory experience.
Age limits: 23 - 45 years.
Further vacancies if they arise may be filled from
these competitions.
For application forms and further details write
to: The Secretary, Local Appointments
Commission, 1 Lower Lower Grand Canal
Street, Dublin 2.
Closing Date for above: 24th February, 1977