Mr. Dave Coleman:

If somebody leaves a case, the defendants have a right to apply for the costs incurred against that plaintiff up to the date they leave the case. This legislation should not allow such an application to be made until after the resolution of the case. This is important because the sheriff has gone to homes of clients of mine who for their own personal reasons have had to desist in a case. It has had nothing to do with their belief in the merits of the case. They have desisted for personal reasons and have been faced with sheriffs looking for €700 or whatever the figure was at the time. It is small money but it is very embarrassing and affects credit ratings. It is something that should be enshrined in the legislation.