Criminal procedure Bill
Deputy Madigan argued the criminal procedure Bill should be priority legislation because of delays in the justice system. Bruton said it would not be introduced this session but that the relevant Minister would be asked to respond directly.
As far back as 2007, the then Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, said some of the delays in the criminal justice system could possibly be in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. In that context, we have the criminal procedure Bill. I fail to understand why this is not priority legislation. It provides for pre-trial preliminary hearings and increased use of video link hearings. Could I please have an answer in respect of this matter?
Comment on this
The advice is that it will not be introduced during this session. I will, however, ask the relevant Minister to respond to the Deputy directly to ascertain whether it is possible to accelerate that work.