According to the Irish Independent, the proposals are included in the Courts Service of Ireland’s 10-year strategy, which has been approved by the Chief Justice but has not yet been published.

Case progression hearings could also take place in online “virtual courtrooms” with the agreement of parties, it suggests.

Angela Denning, chief executive of the Courts Service, told the Irish Independent that the “digital-first approach” set out in the strategy document would make court processes “quicker, cheaper and easier”.

The plan would require significant investment from the Government to be implemented.

Ms Denning said the “ship needs to be turned around now” on investment, adding: “We really need to invest strongly in our IT unit because we intend to deliver our services in a digital manner.”