As the Deputy will be aware, the rule making authority for the District Court is the District Court Rules Committee, established under section 71 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1936. The rule-making authority for the Circuit Court is the Circuit Court Rules Committee, established under section 69 of the Courts of Justice Act 1936.
All the Rules Committees are independent in their functions. The Committees may annul or alter rules and make new rules, with the concurrence of the Minister.
Officials of my Department and the Department of Health have been engaging with the Court Service regarding any required amendments to Rules of Court, in advance of the commencement of s 232 of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024. Such amendments are matters for the Court Rules Committees, which then submit draft rules to me as Minister for my concurrence.
On December 8th and 9th last, I received draft Circuit Court Rules (Donor Assisted Human Reproduction) 2025 and the equivalent District Court Rules. Preparatory work in advance of concurrence has been completed, and my officials are liaising with the Department of Health to coordinate the date of adoption of the Rules of Court with the Commencement Orders for the relevant sections of the Act.
