The parallel referendum proposing the Seanad’s abolition has dominated debate in advance of Friday 4 October’s double vote. IFA president John Bryan is focused on the need for an appeals court: “It would improve the administration of justice and save both personal and financial stress for people involved in appeals who are subjected to intolerable delays at present.”

A backlog of over 660 cases awaiting an appeal hearing before the Supreme Court currently exists, with delays ranging from four to six years. The new appeals court could hear most of these cases.

The new court would be positioned between the High Court and the Supreme Court and would eliminate delays, ensuring appeals are heard within months.

“This is essential to get a speedy resolution of disputes, which in turn reduces both the personal stress and legal costs on litigants,” said Bryan.

IFA also support an associated clause, allowing minority views of Supreme Court judges be heard in some, though not all, cases where a majority decision is reached in a constitutional case.