43 Mr. Collins asked the Minister for Justice the earliest date available in the Dublin Circuit Civil Court for the hearing of a civil action which is ready to be set down for hearing. [3818/96]

The earliest date currently available in the Dublin Circuit Court for hearing a civil action which is ready to be set down for hearing is 3 March 1998. This represents a delay of approximately two years in the hearing of civil cases in the Dublin Circuit Court.

I have received Government approval to appoint 15 additional judges, seven of whom will be Circuit Court judges. Two of the additional Circuit Court judges will be permanently assigned to Dublin.