Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We need as much pressure as possible brought to bear on this to ensure we can deliver as quickly as possible. I fully appreciate that the Courts Service has done a lot of work and done its best in the context of the pandemic. However, there are people out there who find themselves before the courts, and I have spoken to a number of them. For some it is a family issue and for others it is a small case, a criminal matter that normally would not be overbearing on anyone. This has gone on for so long, and these people have these cases hanging over them that cannot be dealt with and continue to be deferred. It is putting a lot of pressure on people. In the context of a pandemic, when people already feel under pressure, it is important that the Courts Service is seen to be an area where we can deliver for people. There is also pressure on solicitors and the entire legal profession as to how they find they are able to deal with this situation. Sometimes they are very frustrated on behalf of their clients in trying to ensure they get access to the courts and get minor enough matters dealt with quickly and appropriately.

We have an opportunity here. As the Minister said, before there was a pandemic there was a backlog, which tells us there was a problem even pre pandemic, so we need to be able to deal with that as quickly as possible.

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