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By Tom Kelly Opposition was growing last night to a plan to introduce changes to the duties and status of the County Registrar's Office in Mayo. The proposal is part of a controversial nationwide initiative by the Government to streamline the operations of courts and other important legal functions. One of the most contentious recommendations of the blueprint is the downgrading of the post of County Registrar from an independent officer of the court to that of a civic servant. Mr. Fintan Murphy, the Mayo County Registrar, yesterday refused to be drawn into the controversy. But it is understood he is concerned by what has been described as 'an error of draughtsmanship' in the Court Services Bill which has reached the committee stage of the Seanad. A series of top level meetings are being sought with the legal department of the Attorney General's office to outline the concern of County Registrars throughout the country. They are reported to be extremely annoyed by the lack of consultation with them. Castlebar-based Senator Paddy Burke said he welcomed any proposal to streamline the court services. But he was worried by a plan to bring the office of County Registrar under the umbrella of a Chief Executive Officer for the first time. "I think it will seriously undermine the status of the County Registrar and his discretion in dealing with the collection of outstanding taxes. "My party will be tabling a motion in the Senate to ensure the status of County Registrars is not effected by the proposed changes." |
