Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 512: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the court sitting terms will be changed to ensure that judges will sit for longer, due to the fact that there is a long break from the end of the Trinity term to the start of the Michaelmas term, in view of the fact that the sitting terms for the Judiciary in the near future have been set (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22092/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The management and administration of the courts, as the Deputy will be aware, is a matter for the Courts Service. The allocation of the business of the courts, scheduling of court cases and the management of court lists are matters for the judiciary and the Presidents of the courts. The sittings and vacations of the courts are currently provided for in Rules of Court. The Presidents of the respective courts can, and do so on occasion, schedule additional sittings to address particular issues.

I have already in the context of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 provided for a range of measures to make the courts more efficient. I intend to review other matters, including vacations and sittings, with a view to promoting further reform.