FG demand southern High Court

Fine Gael has called for a permanent High Court for the south of the country.

The annual report of the Courts Service has revealed a delay of up to two years in personal injury cases being reached in Cork.

Fine Gael's Justice spokesman Deputy Jim O'Keeffe has said a High Court in the city would alleviate the pressure in Dublin and speed up the process in the south of the country.

Mr O'Keeffe has said the Minister for Justice must take responsibility for the issue. "I raised the issue in the Dáil some time ago and he washed his hands of the issue on the basis that it was a matter for the president of the High Court.

"I don't accept that. A decision to establish a High Court in Cork can be provided by either a change in the rules of the superior court or by legislation. One way or the other the Minister, if he had the political interest, would be involved.”