Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is another example of Sinn Féin speaking out of one side of its mouth in the Republic and out of the other side in the North. Its partitionist mentality has been exhibited once again.

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House to make a statement about delays in probate? Probate is the first step in the promulgation of wills. There are significant delays both in the Dublin district and the other 14 sub-districts around the country. Probate is important and traumatic for people who have been recently bereaved. The waiting time in County Kerry at the moment is six weeks and it is longer than that elsewhere. Senator Mullen referred to this in the House recently.The matter has been brought to my attention by a number of constituents. There appears to be a staff shortfall in the probate offices located throughout the country. I have also been informed that the offices are way behind in terms of information technology. I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister responsible to address these problems that occur at a traumatic time for the bereaved.