Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their response to this request. Clearly, there is a great deal of pressure on the courts system, with the increasing number of cases being taken in areas such as business and competition, medical negligence and planning, as well as the increasing number being taken by lay litigants. I thank Senators for supporting the Bill.A number of issues have arisen, primarily regarding the need for a judicial council Bill, and I accept there is a need for it. Work has been done and there has been consultation in that regard. I should say, in particular to the last speaker, Senator Ó Clochartaigh, that work on the Bill is very advanced.

I answered a parliamentary question on sentencing policy just last week. All the expert reports that examined the issue have gone against mandatory sentencing. I take the point on consistency of sentencing. The public very often raises issues around that but the only person who notes all the detail with a particular court case is the judge who hears all sides. We have an independent Judiciary, with a separation of powers, and that is critical. I thank Senators for supporting the Bill, which will help ease some of the pressures relating to waiting times for the courts.