Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will highlight my understanding of the schedule, which is not within my control or the control of the Oireachtas. As I said, we expect Report Stage of the Bill will be taken in the Seanad next Thursday. I hope it will conclude the same day. It will subsequently be moved to the Dáil as quickly as possible. I apologise for repeating myself but it was understood that the Judicial Council Bill would be completed before the end of 2018. When it become obvious to me, prior to Christmas, that it would be delayed I targeted its completion for the end of the summer session. I believe that target can be realised. We can get it through the Seanad on Thursday and have it back before the Dáil before the end of the summer session. I have also requested a motion for earlier signature to allow the legislation to be enacted without delay. The will allow the President to sign the Bill and it will then become law. I have not done anything beyond that. At that point, I will liaise with the Attorney General with a view to ensuring that, from the insurance side, the judicial council will be established as quickly as possible.

I should note that the Judicial Council Bill is a large Bill, which proposes the most revolutionary reorganisation of the Judiciary for decades. While the insurance side of the legislation is receiving considerable focus and attention, it is only a small part of the Bill. Neither I nor members of the committee can control the Bill's progress. It will go before the Select Committee on Justice and Equality for Committee Stage debate and I expect there will be deep analysis and scrutiny. I hope, however, that this scrutiny will not delay the passage of the Bill beyond the end of the summer session. Having said that, if we can get it through both Houses, I will speak with the Attorney General to try to have the council established as quickly as possible.

Under the schedule I have for this initiative, we should be able to form the committee of seven judges, one from each court, and have the analysis concluded and the new guidelines in place towards the end of the year. That is my schedule but the timeframe is out of my control and that of the committee. It would be helpful to agree a date by which to have the Bill passed.