asked the Minister for Justice what precautions are taken to guard against accidents to jurymen at coroners' inquests; and what compensation is available to jurymen injured while on jury service.

I understand that the question arises from a recent case where a person who had served on a coroner's jury, at an inquest held in a hospital, slipped in the hospital grounds and broke his wrist. This, however, was an accident which could occur to anybody and does not suggest that there is a need of special precautions to guard against accidents to jurymen as a group. As far as I am aware, there is no provision, apart from the ordinary law of civil liability, for compensating a juryman who meets with an accident like this but I am looking into the matter further.

I hope that poor man takes an action.

This man does intend taking an action if his injuries are not going to be recognised. He was there at the request of the Garda; in fact he was the foreman of the jury, and this accident befell him and now he is laid up in plaster.

The Deputy is not asking a question.

The Deputy should consult some of the senior or junior counsel beside him.

The Minister should be in a position to say whether those people are covered or not and whether this man will get any compensation.

Particularly if the Minister, who is a counsel, has a solicitor Minister sitting behind him.

That is a matter for the civil courts.

I do not think it is good enough at all.