Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The question of extra judicial resources in the Northern Circuit or in the Donegal District is a matter, in the first instance, for consideration by the Presidents of the Circuit and District Courts respectively. I will be guided by the Presidents of the Courts as to the need for additional permanently assigned judges.

The Presidents have, at their disposal, unassigned judges who can be used, inter alia, to assist permanently assigned judges where pressure of work demands. I understand in this respect that, last year, 90 extra court sittings were organised in Donegal by the President of the District Court in an effort to tackle delays. The previous year, the President made arrangements for 112 extra sittings and a total of 1,139 cases were disposed of. This had the effect of greatly reducing the backlog at the time. The President of the District Court will, no doubt, continue to assign additional judges to Donegal as need arises.

In relation to the question of a second permanently assigned judge for Donegal, I am advised that the District Court Committee of the Courts Service Board has examined the issue and has decided against recommending any change.

With regard to the Circuit Court, the Deputy will be aware that a judge was assigned to the Northern Circuit with effect from 24 July 2006. While the level of delays in criminal matters in the Northern Circuit is significantly lower than in many other venues around the country, five weeks of additional sittings were allocated to the Northern Circuit in the last term to deal with lengthy criminal trials in Carrick on Shannon and Monaghan. Waiting times for family law and civil cases in the Northern Circuit compare favourably with other venues around the country.

With regard to the general issue of judicial resources, I have secured Government approval to bring forward legislation for the appointment of extra judges in the High Court, the Circuit Court and the District Court.