Thanks for the advice received. Case was settled about 20 minutes before it was due to be called, and after I sat in the 4 Courts for about 5 hours waiting for it to be called, so a waste of a day in that respect. Following might help anyone else facing a day out in the 4 Courts in the future, especially as a plaintiff
Firstly, do not expect any great degree of privacy before you go in. Although there are consultation rooms, It seemed they need to be booked in advance by your solicitor and there are only a limited number available. Sitting on a bench outside the Law Library at around 10.15, I was astonished at the number of client/solicitor/barrister conversations going on in the open. For example, a solicitor & barrister were speaking to a women next to me and the barrister openly said that she was correct to reject €xk in damages and that they'd be looking for at least another €15k. There just seemed to be a complete lack of privacy.
It also seemed clear that some barristers were only meeting their clients for the first time, which makes me wonder why on earth they are required at all?.
If you are not in an actual Court and are waiting to be called, it's not a very comfortable area and I'd hate to have to wait with anyone infirm/elderly etc.
One thing a solicitor did tell me is that the process seems to be speeding up since the new Criminal Courts opened, which is good for any plaintiffs, but as he said, not so good for barristers, as they have less time for "posturing" (his words). There is a small bar downstairs but that's not much good if you have to go in the witness box. There is also a small very old cafe downstairs.
I have to say that I left with the impression that the whole place and system was designed for barristers and judges and not for the rest of us. For example, why do barristers have to dress as they do and why do they have a posh dining room set aside from everyone else? Why does the tipstaff walk 2 paces in front of the judge carrying an actual staff? Whole place seriously needs bringing into the 20th Century in my mind, not to mind the 21st