Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of High Court judges; and the number of these who are solicitors. [12442/05]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Supreme Court judges; and the number of these who are solicitors. [12443/05]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Circuit Court judges; and the number of these who are solicitors. [12444/05]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of judges appointed in each of the Supreme, High and Circuit Courts. [12451/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 to 290, inclusive, and 292 together.

The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice and seven ordinary judges, together with the President of the High Court as an ex officio member. The statutory maximum number may be exceeded by one when a Supreme Court judge, as is the case, is serving as President of the Law Reform Commission. One vacancy exists in the court. None of the serving judges of the Supreme Court were solicitors at the time of their appointment.

The High Court consists of the President and 31 ordinary judges, together with the Chief Justice and the President of the Circuit Court as ex officio members. Thirty-two judges have been appointed to the High Court, of whom one was a solicitor at the time of his appointment.

The Circuit Court consists of a President and 33 ordinary judges. The President of the District Court is an ex officio member. Thirty-four judges have been appointed to the Circuit Court, of whom eight were solicitors at the time of their appointment.