Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if consideration has been given to compensating those who attend in court at their own cost and inconvenience as witnesses, defendants or prosecutors in cases in which an assigned judge fails to appear or when a trial is postponed, delayed or aborted. [8015/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In general, witness expenses are paid by the person who has called the witness. In criminal cases, expenses may be paid by the prosecution, the defence or the court itself in cases where it has requested a report. In civil cases, expenses are payable by the party calling the witness. No change is contemplated in these arrangements. Any delay in the hearing of cases is regretted. There will always, however, be instances where, for one reason or another, a case cannot proceed and it is not always possible to anticipate these cases in advance to notify witnesses and parties.