The Gazette 1972

sion of the jury system to include all adults on the electoral register. Mr. O'Mallcy: Recommendations for amendments in the jury system have been submitted in reports made by the Committee on Court Practice and Procedure. These include a recommendation that the property qualifi- cation for jurors should be abolished and that inclusion in the electoral register should be the only qualification for jury service. Legislation dealing with all aspects of the jury system will be introduced in due course. How- eved, I can hold out no hope of introducing this legis- lation in the near future as priority must necessarily be given to more urgent legislative proposals. Mr. Bruton: Could the Minister say what the position is in relation to the service of women on juries? An Ceann Comhairle: That is a separate question. Mr. O'Malley: That problem will be covcred in the general Bill on jury service. Mr. Bruton: How long does the Minister expect it will be before the Bill is introduced? Mr. O'Malley: I cannot be very specific because I have at least four major Bills which will take priority. I do not want to give a specific time to the Deputy lest I should be unable to keep to it. 8th February, 1972 European Judges' Salaries Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will state the pay and other emoluments of the Judges of the Court of the European Communities. Mr. B. Lenihan: Judges of the European Court of Justice receive a basic salary of £13,400. They are entitled also to head of family and residence allowances amounting to 5 per cent and 15 per cent respectively of basic salary, a representation allowance of £1,200 per annum, and dependant child's and school allowances of £150 and £170 per annum respectively for each child. Removal, installation and travel expenses are also payable. There is a higher basic salary and representa- tion allowance payable to the President of the Court. 17th February, 1972 Litigation Delays Dr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Justice what proposals, if any. there are for expediting cases of litigation. Mr. O'Malley: The causes of delay in litigation are manifold and the subject is too complex to be dealt with by way of reply to a Parliamentary Question. If the Deputy wishes to put down a question on some specific aspect of the matter. I shall see if I can use- fully comment. Departmental and Semi-State Body Reports Dr. O'Conncll asked the Minister for Justice what reports were commissioned by his Department and semi-State bodies under the control of his Department in each of the past ten years; what reports were publi- shed: the total cost of these reports and in what cases the findings were implemented. Mr. O'Malley: The answer is in the form of a state- ment which I propose to circulate with the Official Report. Following is the statement.

COMMITTEE ON COURT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE Terms of Reference: (a) to inquire into the operation of the courts and to consider whether the cost of litigation could be reduced and the convenience of the public and the efficient despatch of civil and criminal business more effectively secured by amending the law in relation to the jurisdiction of the various courts and by making changes, by legislation or otherwise, in practice and procedure; (b) to consider whether, and if so to what extent, the existing right to jury trial in civil actions should be abolished or modified; (c) to make interim reports on any matter or matters arising out of the committee's terms of reference as may from time to time appear to the committee to merit immediate attention or to warrant separate treatment. Date set up: 13th April, 1962. Cost to date: £2,800. The Committee have submitted 16 interim reports to date as follows: First Interim Report: Preliminary Invetigation of Indictable Offences. Second Interim Report: Jury Service. Third Interim Report: Jury Trial in Gvil Actions. Fourth Interim Report: Jury Challenges. Fifth Interim Report: Increase of Jurisdiction of the District and Circuit Cburt. Sixth Interim Report: The Criminal Jurisdiction of the High Court. Seventh Interim Report: Appeals from Conviction on Indictment. Eightn Interim Report: (1) Service of Court Documents by Post. (2) Fees of Professional Witnesses. Ninth Interim Report: Proof of Previous Convictions. Tenth Interim Report: Interest Rate on Judgment Debts. Eleventh Interim Report: The Jurisdiction and Practice of the Supreme Court. Twelfth Interim Report: Courts Organisation. Thirteenth Interim Report: The Solicitor's Right of Audience. Fourteenth Interim Report: Liability of Barristers and Solicitors for Professional Negligence. Fifteenth Interim Report: On The Spot Fines. Sixteenth Interim Report: The Jurisdiction of the Master of the High Court. The first ten Interim Reports have been printed, pre- sented to each House of the Oireachtas and published. The other reports will be similarly dealt with as soon as possible. Broadly speaking, the main recommendations of the First. Third. Fifth, Eighth and Thirteenth Interim Reports have been implemented. Terms of Reference: To consider and repott on the law and practice con- cerning bankruptcy, the administration of insolvent 205 BANKRUPTCY LAW COMMITTEE