Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is something we need to look at in the longer term. I have been discussing the whole basis of the jurisdiction of the District Court under current divisions and whether we might update and modernise District Court jurisdiction to allow for a broader jurisdiction. At present, the judge of the District Court is the person who is assigned to the appropriate district. If that person is not available there is an issue to ensure the temporary assignee has an association with that district. It has been enshrined in our courts legislation for many decades. Obviously, we want to ensure there is full compliance and there are not any legal or jurisdictional issues. This is why the amendments are necessary, to avoid any doubt or legal uncertainty that might arise in the context of an application made or having been made, or a consequent or subsequent judicial review or action.