Failure to appoint registrar criticised

An Independent TD has blamed the failure to appoint a county registrar for Clare on internal Government wrangling.

Deputy James Breen said the failure of the Government to make its mind up on the appointment was "a matter of deep concern" and was affecting the administration of justice in Clare.

"You would have to be suspicious of what is going on behind the scenes." he added.

The Clare Law Association has written to the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, expressing its "serious concern" over the fact that the post has been vacant for 18 months.

The post, which comes with a €99,340 salary, has been vacant since September 2002, following the death of Enda Brogan.

Ten candidates were interviewed for the position last June. However, nine months on, no appointment has been made.

There have been no such delay in other counties where vacancies have arisen.

A vacancy was filled for the post of county registrar in Cavan within seven months of the post becoming vacant last March, while in Donegal a new County Registrar was appointed last July after the post became vacant in November 2002.

County registrars are responsible for the administration of the circuit court and oversee elections and referendums. They also have a quasi-judicial role in court business.

In its letter to Mr McDowell, the Clare Law Association stated: "It is a matter of serious concern that the post of County Registrar in Clare has remained vacant for approximately one and a half years."

The letter continues: "The continuing failure to make this appointment is causing much disruption and delay to legal practitioners within and beyond the county and indeed, particularly in the areas of execution of warrants, recovery of rates and infant settlements.

"The association is also seriously concerned that there is a potential for problems to arise surrounding the issuing of civil bills and the associated ramifications in terms of the Statute of Limitations."It added: "In response to a Dáil question from Fine Gael TD Pat Breen on the issue, the Minister for Justice said that 'a memorandum in relation to the appointment in question is currently with the Government and I expect that a decision will be made shortly'."