Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I wish to refer back to the matter of adjournment. Perhaps the Minister of State will clarify the position in that regard. Is he saying that an adjournment cannot take place while still keeping a barring order alive, accepting the eight day period? Where a hearing takes place within the eight days, has the judge discretion to adjourn the hearing? If a respondent turns up and claims to be unprepared, what approach will the judge take? Will the case be thrown out and where does that leave the applicant? How will a judge decide on somebody's preparedness?