Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Matt Carthy, has called on Minster Jim O’Callaghan to examine the introduction of a payment for financial costs incurred due to jury service.

Deputy Carthy said that the current system where there is no compensation for financial costs impacts on how representative juries are and also puts those already struggling with the cost of living under further pressure.

Teachta Carthy said

“At a time when many people are still struggling with the cost of living, I am disappointed that the Justice Minister has ruled out introducing a payment to compensate for costs incurred by those who serve on juries.

“The absence of such a payment impacts on people already struggling with the cost of living, as well as on those with caring responsibilities and the self-employed. While the Minister highlights in his reply to me that the self employed and full-time carers can be excused from jury service that is not good enough as these groups are then underrepresented on juries. Those who wish to serve should have that option and those on low incomes should not be out of pocket for carrying out their civic duties.

“The Law Society has in the past highlighted that solicitors have raised with it the fact that they have received a large volume of enquiries from people called for jury service who are very concerned about economic hardship and the costs they will incur.

“It is 12 years since the Law Reform Commission called for the introduction of a modest flat rate daily payment to cover the cost of transport and other incidentals involved in Jury service, something which is also supported by the Law Society.

“I am calling on the Justice Minister, Jim O’Callaghan, to look again at this issue and to bring forward proposals to address the costs incurred by those who undertake their civic duty of serving on juries.”