Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This provides for the appointment of two additional judges to the Supreme Court. This is an important proposal because there are substantial arrears of cases to be heard in the Supreme Court. There is a list of in excess of 70 cases outstanding by way of appeal that are described as priority cases. The Chief Justice has estimated it will take between three to four years to complete all outstanding appeals. I welcome the fact the Supreme Court is now sitting more regularly in divisions. That way two appeals can be heard simultaneously by different members of the Supreme Court. I also welcome the fact the Supreme Court will sit in September to help tackle that backlog.

The Government's programme includes a provision to establish a general court of appeal, which will have a court of civil appeal and the current Court of Criminal Appeal within it. I hope shortly to have in this House the legislation for a referendum on that matter. If we create such a court, it is important that everything necessary is done to address the backlog that has developed in the Supreme Court. If we have the expected referendum in the early autumn, it will still be some time before the new court is in place because substantive legislation will have to be enacted on foot of the referendum. This amendment is intended to facilitate the appointment of two additional judges to the Supreme Court to provide for additional numbers of divisional sittings to help address the backlog that has accumulated and to ensure appeals are heard within a reasonable time. I hope the House will support the proposal.