asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (1) what progress has been made towards the establishment of regular sittings of the High Court in Cork and (2) what opposition he has received to this proposal by the Dublin bar association or other interests.

As the Deputy is aware, I am of opinion myself that there ought to be sittings of the High Court in Cork for the trial of ordinary civil actions. However, as it appears to be within the competence of the Superior Courts Rules Committee to provide for such sittings, I have not sought to have the matter dealt with by legislation. I was advised that sittings in Cork would not be practicable, with the present complement of judges, having regard to the congestion of business, and I had made up my mind to wait until the enactment of the Courts of Justice Bill permitted of the appointment of an extra High Court judge before asking the rules committee to take into consideration the matter of sittings in Cork.

Would the Minister answer the second part of the question?

I would not care to tell the Deputy that.