Decentralising the DPP Office
Taylor asked whether the DPP’s office could be decentralised; the Taoiseach said prosecution procedures were partly decentralised but ultimate decisions had to remain with the DPP. The Ceann Comhairle then cautioned against asking a series of supplementary questions.
——and that the question of decentralisation of the office to some extent should be examined?
Comment on this
There is a measure of decentralisation of the prosecution procedures through the existing mechanism, but the ultimate decision must rest with the DPP. I do not see that you can decentralise the DPP. He is there under Statute to fill a particular function and he has to be responsible ultimately for the decisions.
On the question of giving reasons, I readily understand the concern on some occasions when it has not been possible to give an explanation to people who are distressed or upset at the failure to prosecute. However, the decision not to prosecute is as serious as prosecuting and it is not practical to give reasons for decisions without the danger of serious damage to the reputation of individuals. It must be accepted that the distress and damage caused by departing from that principle will be very much greater than a process of selectivity in regard to deciding to give reasons in some cases and not in others. That would be the worst of all worlds.