The Minister for Justice has told the Dáil that he intends to amend legislation so that extra judges can be appointed to the Flood Tribunal. Three new Circuit Court judges will be created by the change to the Court and Court Officers Bill which is currently before the House .
John O'Donoghue has been under intense pressure from the Opposition to make these appointments which were requested by Mr Justice Flood last summer. He is also appointing two more judges to both the High Court and the District Courts.
In a move aimed at cutting costs for litigants and freeing up the higher courts, the Minister has increased the sums that can be claimed in District Court cases from €5,000 to €20,000. The jurisdiction of the Circuit Courts has also been raised from €30,000 to €100,000.
