A High Court judge yesterday criticised the "consistent" failure of ministers, the DPP, Ireland and the Attorney General to meet timescales to ensure legal actions in which they were involved were heard promptly.
Mr Justice Kelly said court procedures aimed at ensuring cases were speedily heard were regularly flouted by State parties.
He said because of failure on the part of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, to deliver documents within a self-selected time, a case being taken against her would not be heard before next year. He awarded costs against the Minister.