Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

A recent report by the working group on the court of appeal, chaired by Mrs. Justice Susan Denham, published last August, acknowledged the necessity for a court of civil appeal. While the report rejected some criticism of the court, particularly in respect of giving ex tempore judgments, it does take the view that a permanent team of judges would lead to a more comprehensive development of the criminal law jurisprudence in the long term. That report is being examined. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to holding a referendum on this issue. While the report deals primarily with the court of civil appeal the Court of Criminal Appeal will also be taken into consideration in any examination of that area. What would be proposed is to give the Supreme Court a new jurisdiction potentially leaving the situation whereby oral evidence would be given. The Supreme Court is the court of final appeal.