Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On the same subject, the Court of Appeal has done a huge amount of work since its establishment in clearing a backlog of cases. People involved in such cases often suffer greatly when it takes years for the case to come to appeal. With regard to the Court of Appeal, is the Tánaiste telling the Dáil that she is delaying further appointments to that court until such time as the legislation promised in the programme for Government is implemented? The Tánaiste has just said that the heads of the legislation relating to a judicial appointments structure will be published some time in the near future. That will be followed by the drafting of legislation and bringing the legislation through the legislative process. Can the Tánaiste say when she expects this legislation to be in place? Does she have a game plan or is this more drift on matters relating to justice and the Garda? It is causing incredible damage to people's morale and confidence in the institutions of the State.

When does the Tánaiste realistically expect Uachtarán na hÉireann to sign the legislation in order that it can begin to operate?

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