Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 574: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans the Government has to introduce weekend and night courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7018/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The District Court in Dublin sits each Saturday and on bank holidays. Provincial District Courts sit outside of normal hours at weekends and at night to deal with emergency matters, as required. Experience of the operation of court sittings continues to be reviewed. This is being done in conjunction with legislative measures aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the courts. I have in this context provided in the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 for the use of a fixed penalties procedure in relation to certain public order offences which will reduce the need to bring offenders before the courts.