The Gazette 1985

GAZETTE

SEPTEMBER1985

Dail Debates

others would fall within my area of discretion as Minis- ter for Justice. I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to what the decisions may be and, as the issues are both complex and important, I do not expect that decisions will be finalised for some time yet. Juries in Civil Court Actions. 30. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice when he will be in a position to submit proposals to the Dáil in relation to juries in civil court actions. Minister for Justice (Mr. Noonan, Limerick East): The necessary legislation to give effect to the Govern- ment's decision, that in personal injuries cases in the High Court the issues of liability and damages should be decided by a judge sitting without a jury, is being drafted. I hope to be in a position to bring the legislation before the House very soon. Establishment of Provincial High Court. 32. Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the backlog of High Court cases from the Munster area, he will give immediate consideration to the establishment of a permanent High Court in Limer- ick or Cork with regular sittings in some of the provincial towns such as Tralee. Minister for Justice (Mr. Noonan, Limerick East): The arrangement of sittings of the High Court is a matter exclusively for the President of the High Court. I understand that the President is not satisfied that the setting up of a permanent High Court in Munster is justified or that it would be feasible to extend sittings to new venues such as Tralee. The President has arranged additional sittings in Cork in order to reduce the backlog of cases awaiting hearing. I understand that the average delay in hearing cases has been reduced significantly and that further improvement may be expected in the immediate future. 27 November 1985 Land Registry Office Staff. 13. Mr. J. O'Leary asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff employed in each grade in the Land Registry office on 1 November 1982, 1 November 1983, 1 November 1984 and 1 November 1985; the number of (a) section 49 applications and (b) applications for transfer of property pending in this office on each of the above dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice (Mr. Noonan, Limerick East): I propose to circulate the statistics requested to the extent available in the Official Report. In the period referred to in the question the total number of staff employed in the Land Registry fell from 496 to 451. The authorised staffing levels settled on the basis of the overall volume of work in 1980 was 541. In the years since 1980 the overall volume of work in each year has been above the 1980 figure. Despite the increased workload and the decreasing number of staff every effort is made to finalise applications as quickly as possible. The number of staff employed in each grade in the Land Registry on the dates in question is as follows:

Members may be interested to have note of the following Dail questions dealt with by the Minister for Justice recently:-

23 October 1985 District Court in Tallaght (Dublin).

27. Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Justice if he considers it appropriate to have a District Court located in Tallaght, County Dublin; and, if so, the steps he is taking to this end. Minister for Justice (Mr. Noonan, Limerick East): District Court business from the Tallaght area is at present handled in Rathfarnham. The court sits there for two days a week. Business is increasing and it may be necessary to increase sitting days to three a week shortly. Basically, however, Rathfarnham District Court is adequate to cater for the business arising in its catch- ment area for the immediate future and, having regard to present financial constraints, I am reluctant to request the county council to bear the cost of providing new courthouse facilities in Tallaght. I am prepared, of course, to consider any proposals which the council may care to submit to me. Land Registry Computerisation. 28. Mr. Barrett (Dublin North-West) asked the Min- ister for Justice if he is aware of the difficulties experi- enced by the staff of the Land Registry in dealing with the increasing volume of work; and if he will take steps to provide the equipment necessary for the efficient operation of the office. Minister for Justice (Mr. Noonan, Limerick East): A major programme of computerisation of the Land Registry folios commenced in December 1982 and, at present, approximately 20 per cent of applications for registration are being processed through the computer. There has been no difficulty about providing equipment for the programme and for the various other needs of the Land Registry and I hope to ensure that this will continue to be the case. Report on Penal System. 29. Tomas Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Justice if the Government has considered the Report of the Whitaker Committee of Inquiry into the Penal System; if the Government accepts the recommendations of the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice (Mr. Noonan, Limerick East): Certain aspects of the recommendations in the Whitaker report would involve consideration by the Government;

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