Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I know in his wisdom, the Ceann Comhairle ruled out of order the amendments I tabled because they would involve a potential charge on revenue. However, the purpose of the Bill and this section and section 3 in particular will mean a potential charge on revenue. The explanatory memorandum details the salaries of a High Court judge, Circuit Court judge and District Court judge. I will not dispute the figures.

Other potential charges are made on revenue by the fact we will appoint extra judges. Again, I do not have a problem with this. However, it is a bit rich that those of us who try to encourage extra judges to facilitate the lessening of queues and waiting lists for courts cannot make those proposals and have them debated in this House.

In the Minister's summing up on Second Stage, he stated he did not want to have too high a number of judges because a future Minister with responsibility for justice would appoint every one of them. Regarding the number of High Court judges, the Bill states it "shall not be more than 35". I suggested 41. The phrase used in the Bill is "shall not be more than" and "more than" is the important part. It means a future Minister with responsibility for justice would not have to fill every position.

Having spent a number of years here, if the number was 50 I believe a Minister for Finance would prevent a Minister with responsibility for justice from filling all those positions if there was no need to do so because the Courts Service operated fully, the court system had no delays, the courts worked like clockwork and justice was being seen to be done.

One of the questions raised in this section is when we appoint additional judges space must be found for them to sit. Other officials are associated with the appointments. Where will the new buildings be? I heard Kilmainham courthouse will close. I remember the Minister telling us in 2003 about the new court buildings on Parkgate Street to replace the High Court buildings.

A building programme exists throughout the country. Has it been accelerated? Is there enough space for additional ordinary judges of the High Court whom the Minister hopes to appoint? He did not come here to increase the number allowed only. He intends to fill the vacancies. Perhaps he wants to provide an opportunity in case of an eventuality. Will the Minister address these points?

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