asked the Minister for Justice the ratio of judges of the High Court to the population of the whole country after the appointment of the two extra judges provided for in the Courts (No. 2) Act, 1981.
362.
Written Answers. - High Court Judges.
361.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he regards the population of Cork, Clare, Limerick and Kerry as justifying the appointment of permanent High Court judges for that area.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 362 together.
The population of the State, or of particular areas of the State, is not specifically taken into consideration in determining the need for appointing additional judges of the High Court, though, presumably, an increase in population would be reflected in an increase in the volume of business coming before the courts, which is the principal factor taken into account when assessing the need for the appointment of additional judges. The total number of judges of the High Court now sitting is 15, including the President.
It is the function of the President of the High Court to arrange the distribution and allocation of the business of the High Court and it can be taken that in doing so he takes into account the needs of particular areas.